Home of my heart, I sing of thee, 

Michigan, my Michigan. 
Thy lake-bound shores I long to see, 

Michigan, my Michigan. 
From Saginaw's tall whispering pines 
To Lake Superior's farthest mines. 
Fair in the light of memory shines, 

Michigan, my Michigan. 

Wak Song— Mrs. Jane W. Brent. 




Michigan State Capitol. 



A PRIMER 



IIOHIGAN HISTORY 



B R I E F S K E T C H 



MATERIAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE. 



■wnvc. cr. acD:K.. [^'. - > 



"^.^K' 



HENRY R. PATTENGILL, PrsLiSHER, 
Lansing, Michigan. 

188G. 



f^^^. 



,c^i 



COPYRIGHT BY 

WIM. J. COX 

1886. 



Thorp & Godfrey, 

PRINTERS AND BINDERS, 

LANSING, MICH. 



PREFACE. 

It is believed that the youth who attend onr public 
schools should acquire some knowledge of the chief 
facts in the history of the State which provides for 
their education, and of which they are the future 
guardians and citizens. That the pupils of the 
average school have received sufficient and systematic 
instruction in Michigan history, will scarcely be 
claimed by any one whose observation of the matter 
has been both wide and careful. 

The standard text-books of American history are 
necessarily silent upon many points of local interest 
and importance; while, on the other hand, the 
several histories of the State are too lengthy and too 
expensive for general class use. Owing to various 
causes, the place of a text-book on this subject is 
rarely supplied by oral instruction. The attempt 
has been made, therefore, to present some of the 
salient points of Michigan history in a form 
sutHciently concise and inexpensive to meet the needs 
of the class-room, and of the busy private student. 



PKEPACE. 

It is believed that the Pkimer can be used without 
encroaching upon the time properly given to the 
general study of American history. As this little 
work is designed to be used as a supplement to the 
ordinary text-book, subjects commonly treated in 
the latter are considered only in their local rela- 
tions. 

The natural resources of Michigan are so many, 
and the industrial pursuits of the various sections 
are so different, that children reared in one part of 
the State have often little or no conception of tlie 
conditions existing elsewhere. It has seemed proper, 
therefore, to include a chapter on this subject. 

For favors received during the preparation of the 
Primer, the compiler desires to acknowledge his 
obligations to the Hon. Yarnum B. Cochran, former 
Superintendent of Public Instruction in Michigan ; 
to the Rev. J. H. Pitezel, author of '^ Lights and 
Shades of Missionary Life" and other works; to 
Supt. E. T. Curtis of Calumet; and to Henry E. 
Pattengill, the publisher. For the Map showing the 
location of the chief Material Resources of the State, 
the Primer is indebted to Principal F. E. Wood 
of this place. 

For the beautiful illustrations which adorn its 



PKEFACE. 

pages the Primer is indebted to the Detroit & Cleve- 
land Steam N'avigation Company, who, through the 
courtesy of their agent, Mr. C. D. Whitcomb, of 
Detroit, contributed the use of the plates. 

In prei3aring the following pages, the works of 
Francis Parkman, Judge Campbell, Judge Cooley, 
Mrs. E. M. Sheldon, and the Lanmans, and the 
Transactions of the Old Historical Society of Michi- 
gan, have been freely used, with proper credits for 

direct quotations. 

W. J. C. 
Hancock, Mich., July, 1886. 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction 1-6 

Chapter I -. -.. 7-16 

French Period— 16 34 to 1760. The first explorer, 7.— French mis- 
sionaries, 7.— Fur traders, 10.— An early map of the great lakes. 
13.— LaSalle and the vovaare of the Griffin, 12.— Founding of 
Detroit, 15.- The French War, 15.— General note on the French 
Period, 16. 

Chapter- II.. ..17-30 

Enylish Period, 1760 to 1796. Taking possession, 17.— Pontiac's 
Conspiracy, 18.— The leader, 19.— The plan, 19.— The attack, 20.— 
Detroit, 20.— St. Joseph, 26.— Michiliraackinac, 26.— General note 
on the struggle, 27.— Conclusion of the English Period, 28.— Map 
of Mackinac Island, 30. 

Chapter ni 31-52 

Territorial Period, 1796 to 1837. Michigan as part of the North- 
west Territory, 31.— Indiana Territory, 33.— Michigan Territory, 
34.— Second war with England, 36.— Capture of Fort Mackinac, 
37.— General HulTs Canadian campaign, 39.— Hull's surrender of 
Detroit and Michigan, 4.O.— British possession of Michigan for a 
time, 41.— Perry's victory and the recapture of Michigan, 42.— 
Michigan Territory under Governor ('ass, 43.— Fort Mackinac, 
45.— The Governoi% 45.— Condition of affairs, 46.— Survey and 
sale of public lands, 47.— The printing press, 47.— The steamboat, 
48.— Public roads, 48.— The Erie Canal, 49.— Promotion of Gen- 
eral Cass and condition of the Territory in 1831, 49.— Close of the 
Territorial Period, 50.— The Toledo War, 50.— State Conven- 
tions, 51. 

Chapter IV .52-74 

Miclxigan ax a State— 1837 to 1886. First Constitution of Michi- 
gan, .52.— Internal improvement scheme, 53.— "Wild-cat" baiik- 
ing, 55.— Education, 57.— Pioneers, 62.— Mormons m Michigan, 04. 
—Removal of the State Capital, 65.— Second Constitution of 
Michigan, 65.— Political matters, 67.— Reference lists of proral- 
nent otficers of Michigan, 67.— Michigan in the Civil War, 69.— 
Miscellaneous, 71.— Reference lists of State institutions, 12.— 
Conclusion, 73. 

Chapter V 74-95 

A Brief Sketch of the Material Resources of the State. Location 
and size, 74.— Surface, 74.— Map showing location of chief nat- 
ural proilucts of Michigan. 75.— Soil, 78.— Climate, 78.— Farm 
products, 79.— Fruits, 80.— Value of the products of the soil, 81.— 
Forest products, 81.— Value of forest products, 84.— Mineral pro- 
ducts, 84.— Copper, 85.— Iron, 88.- Gold and silver, 91.— Slate, 91.- 
Salt, 92.— Gypsum, 93.— Coal, 95.— Stone, 93.— Value of mineral 
products, 94.— Fisheries, 94.— Conclusion, 94. 

Quet?tt:s ^ ;-liH) 

Index I'M l():i 

viii 



A PRIMER OF MICHIGA]^^ HISTORY 



INTRODUCTION. 



As the territory which forms the present State of 
Michigan was first explored, settled and controlled 
by Frenchmen, its earliest history is inseparably 
connected with that of the province of New France. 

During the first quarter of the century Avhich 
followed the discovery of America, while Spain and 
England were deeply interested in projects of explo- 
ration and excited by dreams of gold and glory, the 
kings of France were too deeply involved in Italian 
wars to give much attention to the Western World. 
But after the defeat of 1521, King Francis I of 
France found time to observe, in a spirit of envy, 
that his rival, Charles V of Spain and Germany, 
w^as reaping profit and renown from explorations in 
America. Accordingly King Francis I fitted out an 
expedition under John Verrazzano, a Florentine 
navigator whom he had enlisted in the service of 
France. 

1524 — This expedition crossed the ocean in the 
early part of the year 1524, making the voyage 



2 A PRIMER OF 

from Madeira Island to the coast of North Carolina 
in fifty days. Verrazzano examined the coast from 
Carolina to Nova Scotia in the hope of finding a 
passage to Cathay — as China was then called — which 
had been one of the chief objects of the expedition. 
By the time they reached Newfoundland, provisions 
began to grow short and they set sail for France. 

Verrazzano's voyage is interesting to ns for two 
reasons: First, he named the country New France; 
and secondly, he wrote the first description of its 
coast. 

1534 — The next French movements of importance 
in this connection were the voyages of Jacques 
Cartier — a bold seaman of St. Malo. On his first 
trip to New France (1534) Cartier entered the Gulf 
of St. Lawrence and sailed up as far as Anticosti 
Island, supposing all the time that he had found 
the long-sought i:>assage to Cathay. But the weather 
was becoming cold and stormy, and the explorers 
returned to France for the winter. The next spring 
(1535) Cartier came back with three vessels and 
ascended the St. Lawrence River to the present site 
of Montreal. After visiting the Indians of the 
neighboring village and making the ascent of the 
mountain — which he named Monf Royal — Cartier 
and his comrades sailed down to the spot now occu- 
pied by the city of Quebec, where they went into 
winter quarters. Before spring the scurvy broke 
out, and not less than twenty-six of the company 



MICHIGAIs^ HISTORY. 



found graves under the deep Canadian snows. In 
the early summer (1536) Cartier, with the rest of 
the survivors, returned to France. 

1541— Not dismayed by the hardships through 
which he had passed, the courageous navigator of 
St. Malo made another voyage to the New World, 
this time for the purpose of planting a colony on 
the banks of the St. Lawrence. Roberval, who was 
to have followed him shortly, failed to reach New 
France until the following spring (1542), when he 
found Cartier just on the point of leaving for 
France. Roberval tried to prevent the old navigator 
from deserting the enterprise, but in vain, as Cartier 
stole away under cover of night. 

The attempts of Roberval, La Roche, Pont crave 
and Chauvin to found colonies in New France ended 
in speedy failures. 

1605— The first effort to plant an agricultural 
isettlement on the shores of Acadia was made by 
De Monts, at Port Royal (now Anapolis), Nova 
Scotia. After a struggling existence of tAvo years, 
the enterprise was abandoned. 

1608— The next year after the planting of the 
English colony at Jamestown witnessed the founding 
of Quebec— where Cartier had spent the winter of 
1535-36— by Samuel Champlain. ^^Five years before, 
he had explored the St. Lawrence as far as the 
rapids above Montreal. On its banks, as he thought, 
was the true site for a settlement, a fortified post. 



4 A PRIMER OF 

whence^ as from a secure basis, the waters of the 
vast interior might be traced back toward their 
sources, and a Avestern route discovered to China and. 
the East. For the fur trade, too, the innumerable- 
streams that descended to the great river might all 
be closed against foreign intrusion b}^ a single fort 
at some commanding point, and made tributary to 
a rich and j)ermanent commerce ; while — and this, 
was nearer to his heart, for he had often been 
heard to say that the saving of a soul was worth 
more than the conquest of an empire — countless 
savage tribes, in the bondage of Satan, might hy 
the same avenues be reached and redeemed. 

^'De Monts embraced his views; and, fitting out 
two ships, gave command of one to the elder Pont- 
grave, of the other to Champlain. The former wa& 
to trade with the Indians and bring back the cargo 
of furs which, it was hoped, would meet the expense 
of the voyage. To the latter fell the harder task of 
settlement and exjiloration*." 

Champlain and his party began their work at 
Quebec earl}^ in July (1608), and after weeks of 
vigorous exertion they were comfortably housed in 
wooden buildings surrounded by a strong wall.. 
Twenty-eight persons went into winter quarters, but 
the scurvy broke out before spring, and only eight 
of the founders of Quebec were alive at the close of 
the gloomy winter. 

* Parkman's " Pioneers of France in the New W^orld." 



MICHIGAJs" HISTORY. 5 

During the next few years Champlain devoted his 
time and energies to the strengthening of the colony 
.and to the exploration of the great interior. He 
■discovered the lake which bears his name in 1611, 
•and visited Lake Huron in 1015. In 1620 he brought 
his wife over to New France, "and entered with 
renewed vigor upon all the enterprises connected 
with colonial life. The colonists were greatly en- 
•couraged to find their governor willing thus to unite 
all his interests with theirs, and pursued the arduous 
labors, and endured the privations of their lot with 
-an energy and fortitude hitherto unknown*." 

Meanwhile other settlements were planted, of which 
Montreal was the most important; but, as the fur 
trade was the chief occupation of the colonists as 
well as the chief concern of the companies that sup- 
ported the enterprises, the growth and prosperity of 
New France by no means fulfilled the expectations 
of its founders. 

1626 — About this time the company of New 
France, consisting of one hundred associates with the 
French minister, — Cardinal Richelieu, — at the head, 
was organized, with a capital of three hundred 
thousand livres, and with many privileges from the 
French crown. 

1629 — In 1629 Quebec was surrendered to the 
English, who espoused the cause of the Huguenots 
in their revolt then in progress. Champlain and 

* Sheldon's " Early History of Michigan." 



6 A PKIMER OF 

his people were distressed by famine, and he deemed 
it best to comply at once with the demand of the- 
English commander, and surrendered the post with- 
out resistance. Some of the colonists remained at. 
Quebec, and three years later (1632), by the treaty 
of St. Germain, the territory was returned to tlio 
French crown. 

In 1635 New France suffered a severe loss in the 
death of Champlain, who for a third of a century 
had devoted the best energies of a strong mind and 
a warm heart to the French interests in the New 
World. 

Other governors came and went with the busy 
years, but, as it is not the purpose of this little 
narrative to follow the historic fortunes of New 
France further than seems necessary for a starling 
point in Michigan history, their names and deeds 
must be left to the goodly volumes which dijicuss the 
subject at lenirtli. 



MICHIGAX HISTORY. 7 

CHAPTER I. 
Krenchi Period— 1634 to 1T60. 

THE FIRST EXPLORER. 

1634: — It is believed that the first white man 
who visited any i3art of the territory embraced in 
the present State of Michigan was Jean l^icolet — 
who was in the service of Governor Champlain — and 
that he first set foot upon the soil at the spot now 
occupied by the toAvn of Sanlt de Ste. Marie. 
Nicolet ascended the Ottawa and Mattawan rivers, 
passed through Lake Nipissing, descended French 
River, coasted the northern shore of Lake Huron 
and ascended the strait to the falls, where he prob- 
ably arrived in the summer of 1634. After a few 
days of rest and some friendly interviews with the' 
natives, Nicolet descended the strait, made a brief 
visit at Michilimackinac — the Mo-che-ne-mok-e-nung 
of the Indians — and passed on to other fields of 
exploration not immediately connected with tliis nar- 
rative. 

FRENCH MISSIOJfARIES. 

164:1 — The next Europeans that came to this 
region were the Jesuit missionaries, Raymbault and 
Jougues, who arrived at the Sault in 1611. They 
found about two thousand Indians there, who gave 



8 . A PRIMER OF 

them a warm welcome and urged them to remain ; 
but this thej could not do, and after suitable relig- 
ious ceremonies, the priests returned to the eastern 
missions. 

1660— In 1G60, Pere Rene Men^ird resolved to 
found a mission on Lake Superior, and after a long 
and tiresome voyage he reached the head of Kewee- 
naw Bay, in October. He spent the winter with the 
Indians in that vicinity, and in the spring resumed 
his travels, intending, it is supposed, to visit La 
Point, on Madeline Island. He was accompanied by 
a single Indian guide, and was either lost or mur- 
dered near the modern waterway lvnov\^n as the 
Portage Lake Ship-canal. 

1665 — Five years later, Pere Claude Allouez 
reached La Point, established a mission and erected 
a chapel — which was the first church edifice west 
of Lake Huron. 

1668 — The second mission on Lake Superior 
(called by the Indians Gitcliee Gomi, and by the 
French Lac de Tracy) was founded at the Sault de 
Ste. Marie, by Pere Marquette,* in 1668. Inhabited 

*Jacques Marquette was born at Laon, France, in 1637, and died at 
the mouth of the Pere Marquette River, on the eastern shore ot Lake 
Michigan, May 18, 1675. He joined the order of Jesuits at the age of 
17, and was sent to Canada as a missionary in 1666. 

Having a natural aptitude for learning languages, he acquired six 
Indian dialects m the next two years, and was ready to engage in 
missionary work in 1668. The establishment of the mission at the 
Sault de Ste. Marie was one of his first public acts. 

In scholarship, intellectual vigor and religious devotion, Father 
Marquette was the peer of the best men of his time, and his name is 
revered by all who know and appreciate the sterling qualities which 
make men good and great. 



MICHIGAN^ HISTORY. 9 

"by Europeans from that time forth, the Sault is 
the oldest settlement in the State. 

1669 — jj^ ^(359 Marquette was joined at the Sault 
by Pere Dablon, Superior of the mission, and tiiey 
-are described as '^established in a square fort of 
'Cedar pickets * h* * * * enclosing 
a chapel and a house,"* with growing crops of 
wheat, maize, peas, etc. 

In the fall of the same year, Marquette took 
'^charge of the mission at La Point, Allouez went to 
'Green Bay, and Dablon remained at the Sault. 

1671 — For the purpose of gaining a better foot- 
hold in the region of the great lakes, and in order 
to foster and perpetuate the spirit of friendship in 
which the Ottawas had received the early mission- 
aries and explorers, M. Talon, Intendant of New 
France, sent messengers to call a great council of 
the Indians at the Sault, in the spring of 1671. 
Fourteen tribes of the northwest sent representatives 
to meet the French officers, who, with due ceremo- 
nies, took formal possession of the country. After 
raising the cross and the lilies of France, Pere 
Allouez, who acted as interpreter on the occasion, 
made a speech, in the course of which he jDronounced 
*a glowing panegyric on his king, Louis XIV, repre- 
senting him as " the chief of chiefs," who had not 
'•his equal in the world." 

* Parkman's "• La Salle and tlie Discovery of the Great West." 



10 A PRIMEE OF 

During this year (1671) Marquette lost the greater- 
portion of his La Point people through removal, and 
himself accompanied a band of Hurons to the Straits 
of Mackinac, where he founded the mission of St. 
Ignatius. 

For the next nine years (1671-1680) Pere Druilletes 
was the leading spirit at the Sault. On several 
occasions his little chapel was burned to the ground, 
but the aged missionary was full of energy, and 
continued to work until, '^'broken by ago, hardships 
and infirmities," he found it necessary to return to 
Quebec, where he died in 1C80. 

The achievements of the French missionaries in 
the wilds of this distant region in those early days 
added not a little to the geographical knowledge of 
the country; tlieir religious instruction, gentle man- 
ners and Christian character no doubt did much 
to soften the savage nature of the Indians whom 
they taught, and thereby removed some of the diffi- 
culties from the way of other explorers ; and although 
the visible results of tlieir attempt to Christianize 
the natives were few and discouraging, the zeal and 
heroism of the men who braved danger without 
flinching and endured suifering without complaining 
entitle them to warm places in the hearts of all 
who love the good and admire the brave. 

FUR TRADERS. 

As the first settlements in New France were mad© 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 11 

under the auspices of companies organized for the 
carrying on of the fur trade^ the enterprising fol- 
lowers of this traffic were early and frequent visitors 
in the region of the great lakes. Induced by the 
prospect of gain, and having perhaps a keen relish 
for adventure, the trader embarked with his mer- 
chandise in birch canoes, coasted the shores of the 
lakes, followed the winding courses of the rivers- 
and penetrated the secluded retreats of the vast 
wilderness. 

This trade gave employment to a large number of 
boatmen and woodsmen known as coureurs des bois,* 

" A wild looking set were these rangers of the 
woods and waters I * * They had a genuine love 
for the occupation, and muscles that seemed never 
to tire at the paddle and oar. From dawn to sun- 
set, with only a short interval, and sometimes nO' 
mid-day rest, they would ply these implements,, 
causing the canoe or barge to fly through the water 
like a thing of life; and again they contended with 
head winds and gained but little progress in a day's 
rowing. The labor of the oar was relieved by songs, 
to which each stroke kept time with added vigor, "f 

But owing to too great freedom from the restraints 
of law and civilized society, many of the coureurs 
des hois became so reckless and dissolute as to 
endanger the interests of their employers, to say 

* Literally runners of the woods. 

+ Bela Hubbard, "Michigan Pioneer Collections." 



12 A PRIMER OF 

nothing of the corrnpting influences which they 

exerted upon the Indians. Fortified posts were 

therefore established for the protection of the com- 
panies. 

Al^" EARLY MAP OF THE GREAT LAKES. 

1(>69 — Two of the Jesuit missionaries — probably 
Allouez and Marquette — made a map of this region 
about 1669. This map, which was published in 
1672, was remarkably accurate for that age. And 
when we remember that its authors were not 
-engineers by profession, and that the map of the 
country was only an incidental part of their work, 
we can hardly understand how the task w^as so well 
clone. 

LA SALLE A^B THE VOYAGE OF THE GRIFFIIS". 

1679 — Soon after his appointment to the governor- 
generalship of New France, Count Frontenac directed 
his attention to the extension of the French power 
and interests in the New World. And among the 
strong men who assisted in the exploration of the 
interior. La Salle acted a prominent part. After 
•establishing a trading post called Fort Frontenac, La 
Salle decided to build a vessel suitable for the navi- 
gation of the great lakes, for the purpose of 
conducting an exploring expedition to the Mississij^pi 
Eiver. He resigned his command at Fort Frontenac 
and went to a point two leagues above Niagara 
Falls, where he began the construction of the vessel. 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. iiy 

late in the autumn of 1678. The schooner, which 
was called the Griffin, was of sixty tons burden,, 
armed Avith five guns. On the 7th of August, 1679, 
she set sail for the first voyage ever made by a 
'vessel on the great lakes. The Griffin was com- 
manded by La Salle,— who was accompanied by 
Hennepin, the missionary, — and manned by a crew 
of fur-traders. They were ignorant of the depth of 
the water, and felt their way cautiously. They 
reached the mouth of the Detroit Eiver on the 10th 
of August, and sailing northward passed the Indian 
village of Teuchsagrondie, on the site now occupied 
by the city of Detroit. The place had been visited 
by the French missionaries and traders, but no set- 
tlement had been attempted. 

They passed on through Lake St. Clair,* ascended 
the St. Clair Eiver, and experienced a severe storm 
on Lake Huron. 

At length the tempest-tossed Griffin reached the 
harbor of St. Ignace. '^Before her rose the house 
and chapel of the Jesuits, enclosed with palisades; 
on the right, the Huron village, with its bark 
cabins and its fence of tall pickets ; on the left, the 
square, compact houses of the French traders; and, 
not far off, the clustered wigwams of an Ottawa 
village. Here was a centre of the Jesuit missions, 
and a centre of the Indian trade; and here, under 



*"They named it Sainte Claire, of which the present name is a per- 
version. ''"'—Parkman. 



14 A PRIMER OF 

the shadow of the cross, was much sharp practice in 
the service of Mammon."* 

Early in September, La Salle resumed his A'oyage, 
•crossed Lake Michigan and cast anchor at some 
23oint on Green Bay. 

The Griffin was loaded with furs, and sailed for 
Niagara, with orders to return to the mouth of the 
St. Joseph River as soon as possible, but was never 
heard of more. It is probable that she foundered 
the night of her departure, as at that time a violent 
storm swept over the lake. 

La Salle, with a few men, coasted Lake Michigan 
to the mouth of the St. Joseph — the site of the 
modern village of the same name — and built a rude 
fort. After spending nearly a month at Fort St. 
Joseph, where they were joined by a party from 
Mackinac under Tonty, La Salle's trusted agent, 
they lost nearly all hope of the return of the Griffin 
with needed supplies. The near approach of winter 
made further delay dangerous, and the explorers at 
•once began the ascent of the St. Joseph River. 
Near the- site of South Bend, Indiana, they made 
the portage, and descended the Illinois to the point 
where they built Fort Crevecoeur.f 

*Parkman's "La Salle, and the Discovery of the Great West." 
t In 1682— having made a trip to Monti'eal, returned and built a suit- 
able vessel in the meantime— La Salle embarked at Fort Crevecoeur 
and descended the Mississippi to its mouth. About Ave years later 
(1687). while engaged in the effort to plant French colonies at such 
points on the Mississippi as to give his nation control of the naviga- 



MICHIGAN^ HISTORY. 15 

FOUXDIXG or DETROIT. 

1701— On the 24tli of July,, ITOl, Antoine de la 
Motte CadilLac founded the first European settle- 
ment at Detroit. He brought fifty soldiers and fifty 
traders and artisans. "A stockade fort was imme- 
diately constructed, which ***** ^^g 
named Fort Pontchartrain, and log houses thatched 
with grass soon went up, in which the settlers 
found shelter and a home."* 

Cadillac and the officers of the French fur com- 
pany quarreled from time to time, and on one 
•occasion, when he was at Montreal on business, in 
the fall of 1T04, he was arrested and detained from 
his post for about a year. He remained in charge 
at Detroit until called away from the colony b}^ 
private interests, in 1710. Detroit continued to 
exist, but did not grow much during the period of 
French control. 

THE FREXCH WAR. 

1754 to 1760— Meanwhile the rival claims of 
France and England to the same territory, in the 
valley of the Ohio and elsewhere, led to quarrels 
which finally culminated in war. During the strug- 
gle, the French lost the forts of K"iagara, Ticonder- 

tion of the Great River, La Salle was assassinated by a treacherous 
employe. 

For a full and interesting account of the life and services of this 
explorer, the student is referred to Francis Parkman's fascinating 
history, entitled, " La Salle and the Discovery of the Ch^eat Westy 

* Judge Cooley's "Michigan." 



16 A PRIMER OF 

oga and Crown Point; and the surrender of Quebec- 
in the fall of 1759 jjractically decided the contest. 
In September, 1760, the vast territory was abandoned 
to the English, and Xouvelle France became a 
British province. 

GENERAL NOTE ON THE FRENCH PERIOD. 

The most prominent feature of the French man- 
agement, or rather mismanagement, of the territory 
was the neglect to develop the agricultural and 
other resources of the country. Very little land 
was cleared, few permanent improvements were- 
made, and the settlements were small and weak. 
The fur trade, which was the chief occupation of 
the people, was not calculated to build up and 
sustain large and thriving settlements. And at the 
close of the French war, the little trading posts of 
Sault de Ste. Marie, Michilimackinac and Detroit 
were the meagre results of two hundred years of 
French colonization and control in the future State- 
of Michigan. 



MICHIGAN^ HISTORY. 17 

CHAPTER II. 

Knglishi Period— 1T60 to 1T96. 

TAKING POSSESSION. 

1760 — Shortly after the surrender of the terri- 
tory to the English, Major Eobert Rogers was sent, 
with a military force, to take possession of the post 
at Detroit. While journeying along the southern 
shore of Lake Erie, the English were met by mes- 
sengers from Pontiac* who forbade them to ad- 
vance further without the consent of the chief. 
Pontiac, who was not far distant, soon a23peared in 
person and demanded why they had presumed to 
enter his dominions without asking permission. 
Major Rogers explained that the sole object of the 
expedition was the removal of the French, who, he 
said, had been the means of preventing friendly 
intercourse between the Indians and the English. 
After sleeping over the subject, Pontiac gave his 
consent and the British soldiers moved on to 
Detroit. 

After reading the articles of capitulation signed 
by his superior officers, M. Bellestre, the French 
commandant, surrendered Fort Pontchartrain (De- 

*This celebrated Indian chief, the originator and manager of the 
Conspiracy, lived at that time on Pechee island, about eight miles 
above Detroit. 
2 



18 A PRIMER OF 

troit), in November, 1760, and the English took 
quiet possession of the post. The population of 
Detroit and vicinity was estimated at 2,500 persons 
at that time. 

The forts at Michilimackinac, Sault de Ste. 
Marie, and St. Joseph were not occupied by the 
English until the fall of 1761. 

PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY. 

1763 — Although the French had surrendered the 
territory, and their chief military leaders had 
returned to France, the English were not long per- 
mitted to possess the land before a dangerous 
and secret foe sought their destruction. We have 
had occasion to notice the attitude of Pontiac, 
who regarded the French as friends and their con- 
querors as enemies of his people. Less than three 
years of intercourse served to deepen the hostility 
of the Indians. With brusque manners, the English 
failed to make themselves popular in the wigwams 
of the natives; as a rule their tastes did not lead 
them to marry the Indian women — which was one 
of the ways by which the French had woven ties 
of friendship between the two races — and in their 
dealings with the red men, the English traders were 
not only unjust but too often arrogant and provok- 
ing. When the French traders cheated them, it 
was done in a graceful and pleasant manner; and, 
rude children of the forest as they were, they could 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 19 

not appreciate the pleasure or propriety of being 
cheated and abused at the same time. Many of the 
French inhabitants remained in the settlements, and 
as no effort had been made to win their favor they 
had little attachment for the new government, but 
— in common with the Indians — hoped for its 
speedy overthrow. ^^ The fires of discontent were 
smouldering everywhere, and nothing was needed 
but the breath of a bold and daring spirit to blow 
them into flame."* 

THE LEADER. 

Pontiac, the originator and leader of the Conspir- 
acy, was an Ottawa chief. He was well fitted for 
the daring enterprise. An effective speaker; a bold 
and crafty warrior, who had won the first place 
among the Indians of his day; and, more than all, 
he was a thoughtful and far-seeing general who 
could originate and manage complicated plans. In 
the latter qualification, he was probably the greatest 
chief that his race has produced. But his plans 
were founded upon treachery and assassination, he 
could violate a truce without shame, and in the 
chief elements of true manhood, like most of the 
savages, he was anything but a hero. 

THE PLAN. 

Pontiac's plan was to attack all of the English 



* Judge Cooley's "Michigan." 



20 A PRIMER OF 

posts west of the Alleghany Mountains at about the 
same time. The Indians were to massacre the sol- 
diers of the garrisons, and thus, at a single stroke, 
they hoped and planned to rid themselves of the 
presence of a people whom they hated and looked 
upon as intruders in the valleys of the west. The 
plan of operations included a line of posts scattered 
from Niagara to Chicago, twelve forts in all, three 
of which — St. Joseph, Michilimackinac and Detroit 
— were in Michigan. Pontiac's ambassadors visited 
the various Indian tribes between the Ottawa and 
the lower Mississippi, and succeeded in enlisting all 
of the Algonquins, most of the Wyandots and some 
of the southern tribes in the enterprise. " Each 
tribe was to dispose of the garrison of the nearest 
fort, and then all were to turn upon the settle- 
ments."* 

A great council was held at a point on the Eiver 
Ecorces, near Detroit, April 27, 1763. Pontiac 
made a long speech in which he described the 
wrongs that the English had done to the Indians, 
and assured the latter that these dogs dressed in red 
had come to roh them of their hunting grounds and 
drive aivay the game. 

Arrangements were made to attack the posts in 
May. 

THE ATTACK— 1763. 

Detroit — The attack on the fort in Detroit was 

* Bryant's " History of the United States." 



MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 21 

led by Pontiac in person. The crafty chief sought 
an interview with Major Gladwyn, commander of 
the post, on the 7th of May, and was admitted. 
He was accompanied by a band of sixty warriors, 
who to all appearance were unarmed, as their 
weapons were carefully concealed under their 
blankets. It had been arranged that Pontiac should 
make a speech to the commander of the fort, and 
.at the point where he should present a belt of 
wampum wrong end foremost the Indians were to 
strike down the ofhcers, and the massacre ■ was to be 
-continued by the hosts of savages in waiting out- 
.side. Happily for the garrison, however, the plot 
had been revealed to Major Gladwyn, by an Ojibwa 
girl, the evening before the proposed attack,* and 
he was prepared for it. When the Indians entered 

* Note.— The Inaians had cut off their rifles so that they could con- 
ceal them under their blankets. A few dajs before the time set for 
the massacre, a French lady happened to be at the Ottawa village 
where she saw several Indians engaged in filing their gun barrels. 
Upon her return she related the matter to her friends, and the black- 
smith said that the natives had recently borrowed a number of files 
and old saws without explaining what they wislied to do with tliem. 
These facts were known to Major Gladwyn, and perhaps helped to 
put him on his guard. But he was not fully convinced of the threat- 
ened danger until the plot was revealed to him by an Indian. Tradi- 
tion has it that his informant was a beautiful Ojibwa girl, and 
imaginative writers relate several romantic stories in connection with 
this incident: One is that the Indian girl had made some pretty 
moccasins for Major Gladwyn, and brought them to him on the day 
before the threatened attack. He was much pleased with her skill 
and rewarded her handsomely, asking her at the same time to take 
with her a fine deerskin belonging to him for the purpose of making 
some more moccasins for himself and friends. The girl hesitated, 
and upon being questioned replied that he had been good to her and 
she could not take away the deerskin, as she woidd never he ahJe to 
hring it back. After being assured that she would be safe in telling 
liim what was the matter, she explained the plot which was to be 
attempted on the morrow, and thereby saved the garrison. Other 
writers think that the disclosure was prompted by a more tender 
Reeling than gratitude. 



22 A PRIMER OF 

the fort they found the soldiers in arms and ready 
for duty at a moment's notice. Feeliag sure that 
his treacherous purpose was known, and that there 
was no chance to surprise the English, Pontiac 
scarcely knew what to do or say, and made his 
speech very brief. Major Gladwyn told the Indians 
that they should have the friendship of the English 
^^so long as they deserved it," but ^^that instant 
vengeance would be taken for any hostile act." 

On the 9th of May the crafty chief tried to gain 
an entrance with a larger party of his followers,, 
but was promptly refused. The Indians then set 
up the war-whoop and proceeded to murder several 
defeuseless English persons who were outside of the 
stockade, and after these fiendish acts they began 
the attack on the fort. 

A re-enforcement, with provisions and ammunition 
was expected about the last of May; '^and, on the- 
30th, the sentinel on duty announced that a fleet of 
boats was coming round the point, at the Huron 
church. The Avhole garrison flocked to the bastions, 
eagerly anticipating the arrival of their friends. 
But they were greeted with no sounds of joy. The 
death-cry of the Indians, that harbinger of misery, 

Note.— The garrison at this time consisted of about one hundred 
sixty men, three-fourths of whom were regular soldiers. The 
Indian force has been estimated at not less than six hundred war- 
riors. " The English fort, of which Gladwyn was commander, was 
a large stockade, about twenty-five feet high, and twelve hundred 
yards in circumference, including perhaps eighty houses. It stood 
within the limits of the present city, on the river bank, commanding 
a wide prospect for nine miles above and below the city." Bancroft's- 
*' History of the United States." 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 23 

alone broke upon the ear. The fate of the detach- 
ment was at once known. The Indians had ascer- 
tained their approach and had stationed a party of 
warriors at Point Pelee. Twenty-three batteaux, 
laden with all the stores necessary for the defense 
of the town and the subsistence of the garrison, 
and manned by a detachment of troops, landed at 
this place in the evening, ignorant of danger and 
unsuspicious of attack. The enemy watched all 
their movements, md, about the dawn of day, 
rushed upon them. An officer, with thirty men, 
threw himself into a boat and crossed the lake to 
Sandusky Bay. All the others were killed or taken. 
The line of barges ascended the river on the oppo- 
site shore, escorted by the Indians upon the bank, 
and guarded by detachments in each boat, in full 
view of the garrison and of the whole French settle- 
ment. The prisoners were compelled to navigate 
the boats. As the first batteaux arrived opposite to 
the town, four British soldiers determined to effect 
their liberation, or to perish in the attempt. They 
suddenly changed the course of the boat, and by 
loud cries made known their intention to the crew 
of the vessel. The Indians in the other boats, and 
the escort upon the bank, fired upon the fugitives, 
but they were soon driven from their positions by a 
cannonade from the armed schooner. The guard on 
board this boat leaped overboard, and one of them 
dragged a soldier with him into the water, where 



24 A PRIMER OF 

both were drowned. The others escaped to the 
shore, and the boat reached the vessel, with another 
soldier wounded. Lest the other prisoners might 
escape, they were immediately landed and marched 
up the shore to the lower point of Hog Island, 
where they crossed the river, and were immediately 
put to death with all the horrible accompaniments 
of savage cruelty."* 

One of the most note-worthy episodes in the 
siege of Detroit was the massacre at Bloody Eun. 
Captain Dalzell, who arrived at the post in July 
with re-enforcements and supplies, foolishly imag- 
ined that he could surprise the Indians in their 
camp by a night attack, and against the better 
judgment of Major Gladwyn, the attem^ot was made. 
^'^ At two o'clock in the morning of July 31, 1763, 
250 men marched out of the fort and up the Eiver 
Eoad, protected in part on the river by two large 
boats with swivels. Two miles above the fort the 
road crossed a bridge at the mouth of a stream 
then known as Parent's Creek, but since as Bloody 
Eun." t By some means Pontiac had learned of 
their movements and had prepared an ambush for 
them. " As soon as the troops reached the bridge 
they were assailed by a murderous fire, and the 
ravine became a scene of carnage. The darkness 

* General Lewis Cass in "Historical and Scientific Sketches of Mich- 
igan." 
+ Judge Campbell's "Outlines of the Political History ef Michigan." 



MICHIGAlSr HISTORY. 25 

iDewildered them and they were compelled to 
retreat, fighting against ambuscades all the way, 
until they reached the fort again at eight o'clock, 
after six hours of marching and fighting in that 
short road. Dalzell was killed while gallantly striv- 
ing to save a wounded sergeant."* In this engage- 
ment seventy Englishmen were killed and forty 
wounded. 

The siege lasted from early May until late Octo- 
ber, but the battle of Bloody Kun was the only one 
fought outside of the stockade. Within the fort 
the watchful garrison had little to fear from Indian 
arms or valor. The chief danger was that the siege 
might be continued until their provisions were 
■exhausted; and this fear came near being realized 
when scarcity of food in the Indian camp made it 
necessary for the natives to raise the siege and go 
on their annual hunt. Major Gladwyn at once laid 
in a good supply of provisions for the winter, in 
anticipation of a possible renewal of hostilities, but 
the Indians made no further demonstrations until 
spring, when " the negotiations of Sir William 
Johnson and the approach of General Bradstreet * 
* * * induced them to relinquish their venge- 
ful purpose." t 

* Judge CampbeH's "Outlines of the Political History of Michigan." 
t Sheldon's " Early History of Michigan." 



26 A PKIMER OF 

ST. JOSEPH. 

Fort St. Joseph was held by Ensign Schlosser and 
fourteen men. On the 25th of May (1763) a band 
of Pottawotamies gained admission to the fort 
through pretended friendship, suddenly fell upon 
the unsuspecting garrison and massacred all except 
the commander and three men who were taken to 
Detroit and afterwards exchanged. 

MICHILIMACKIJs^AC. 

This fortj — situated on the south side of the 
strait, about one-half mile southwest of the present 
site of Mackinaw City, — was occupied by Major 
Etherington, ninety-two soldiers, and four English 
traders. 

The commander had full and timely warning of 
the designs of the Indians, but foolishly disbelieved 
the reports and neglected all precautions. On the 
2d of June (1763), the King's birthday, the savages 
were engaged in a game of ball near the gates of 
the fort. The officers and soldiers, unsuspicious of 

Note,—*' At that time the fort of Michilimackinac enclosed an area 
of two acres. It was surrounded by pickets of cedar, was situated 
near the water, and when the wind was at the west the waves broke 
against the foot of the stockade. On the bastions there were two 
small pieces of brass cannon, taken some years before by a party of 
Canadians in an expedition against the trading posts of Hudson's 
Bay. The stockade contained about thirty houses of commodious 
form, and * a chapel in which mass was regularly said by a Jesuit 
missionary. The inhabitants at that time derived their principal 
support from the Indian traders, who congregated at that point in 
their voyages to and from Montreal. Here the furs were collected 
for transportation from the upper lakes, and the outfits were pre- 
pared for Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Mississippi and the 
remote north-west. It contained, in 1763, about thirty families." 

* James H. Lanman's " History of Michigan." 



MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 27 

danger, were idle spectators of the sport. About 
noon the ball was thrown into the fort and the 
dark-skinned players rushed after it through the 
open gate. A party of squaws standing near fur- 
nished the assassins with tomahawks which had been 
concealed beneath their blankets, and the massacre 
began. " The amazed English had no time to think 
or act. * * * Some of the Indians assailed the 
spectators without, while others rushed into the fort, 
and all was carnage and confusion.^'* Lieutenant 
Jamette and seventy men were killed. Major Ether- 
ington, three of the English traders, and twenty-three 
soldiers were taken prisoners and afterwards released. 
After appropriating the goods of the traders and 
burning Fort Michilimackinac, the savages sought 
greater security from the deserved vengeance of the 
English by encamping on Mackinac Island. 

GEIs^ERAL NOTE OK THE STRUGGLE. 

Eight out of the twelve posts attacked by the 
Indians, during the execution of Pontiac's plans, 
were captured, hundreds of Englishmen were killed, 
and a reign of terror prevailed throughout the val- 
leys of the west. But in the chief object at which 

♦Parkman's "Conspiracy of Pontiac." 

Note,— For a full and interesting account of " Pontiac's Conspiracy," 
the student is referred to the excellent work of Francis Parkman, In 
the '' Travels " of Alex. Henry, one of the English traders who sur- 
vived the massacre at Fort Michilimackinac, there is a vivid descrip- 
tion of that tragedy. 



^8 A PEIMER OF 

it was aimer! — the removal .of the English from the 
great interior — the scheme failed. 

In the summer of 1764, General Bradstreet arrived 
at Detroit with an army of three thousand men. 
" The Indians, perceiving that they could no longer 
contend against so powerful a foe, laid down their 
arms, and thus the war was brought to a close. ^'* 

CONCLUSIOJ^ OF THE ENGLISH PERIOD. 

Few noteworthy events took place during the 
remainder of the English Period. Settlements grew 
slowly. The influence of the fur companies, and 
of the Quebec Act,f alike prevented the development 
of the country. 

During the American Eevolution the scene of con- 
flict was too far distant from this region to permit 
the inhabitants taking an active part in the war ; but 
the posts of Michilimackinac and Detroit were still 
occu^^ied by British garrisons, and the officers, by 
every means in their power, employed the savages in 
the fiendish work of assassinating and robbing de- 
fenseless American colonists in Ohio and other 
frontier settlements. 

Although the treaty of Paris, 1783, provided for 
the surrender of all these posts to the United States, 

* Charles Lanman's " Red Book of Michigan." 

+ Passed in 1774 by the British Parliament, and severely condemned 
in the Declaration of Independence. 

Note.— Pontiac was assassinated at Cahokia, Illinois, in 1767, by a 
Kaskaskia Indian, who was bribed by an English trader to commit 
the deed for a barrel of whisky. 



MICHIGAN" HISTOKY. 2^ 

Great Britain retained possession of Detroit and 
Michilimackinac until July, 1796, when ^' Michigan, 
for the first time, became an American possession."*^ 

* Judge Campbell's " Outlines of the Political History of Michigan."" 
Note.— Captain Porter of General Wayne's army had the honotof 
first unfurling the stars and stripes in Michigan. 



MICHIGAJ?^ HISTORY. 31 

. CHAPTER III. 
Territorial F'eriod— 1T96 to 183T. 

MICHIGAN AS PART OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

Although the ordinance creating the Northwest 
Territory was passed by Congress in 1787, the reten- 
tion of Michigan posts by the British until 1796 
made the latter date the practical beginning of the 
American Territorial Period. This ordinance, pro- 
viding for the government of the vast territory lying 
between the Ohio River and Lake Superior, was 
framed with such wisdom that it has received high 
praise from an eminent modern jurist. '''No charter 
has so completely withstood the tests of time and 
experience; it had not a temporary adaptati:n to a 
particular emergency, but its principles were for all 
time, and worthy of acceptance under all circum- 
stances. It has been the fitting model for all 
subsequent territorial governments in America."* 

This ordinance contained six articles of compact 
between the original States and the people and 
States of the territory, and it provides that these 
articles shall forever remain unalterable except 'by 
common consent. Provision was made for each of 
the following important objects: 

♦Judge Cooley's "Michigan." 



32 A PKIMER OF 

I. Freedom of worship. 

II. A bill of rights, with a provision making" 
contracts inviolable. 

III. " Eeligion, morality, and knoivledge heing 
necessary to good government and the happiness of 
manJcind, schools and the means of education shall 
forever be encouraged.^^ 

IV. The States to be formed out of this territory 
were bound to remain in the Union and help to- 
bear the expenses and obligations of the general gov- 
ernment, and all navigable waters should be free to 
commerce. 

V. The fifth article provided that not less than 
three nor more than five States should be formed 
from the Northwest Territory, and that these, as they 
attained a population of sixty thousand, should be- 
admitted to the Union under republican constitutions.* 

VI. The sixth article declared that neither slavery 
nor involuntary servitude, except in punishment for 
crime, should ever he alloived in this territory or in 
the States to he erected therefrom. 

Thus at the very dawn of its political existence 
under the United States, this vast region was pledged 
to education, freedom, f and equal rights for all. 

* Judge Cooley's "Micliigan." 

t Note.— "The ordinance was the beginning of the end of American 
slavery. It checked at the banks of the Ohio the advance of a sys- 
tem fruitful of countless evils, social and political ; and the opponents 
of the system found in its mandate of uncompromising prohibition an 
inspiration and a prophecy of final triumph in their subsequent war- 
fare."— Judge Cooley's "Michigan." 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 33 

In the fall of 1787 Congress appointed General 
Arthur St. Clair governor of the Northwest Territory. 

Owing to the failure of the British to surrender 
the posts in this section until 1796, however, the 
first pages of territorial history have slight connec- 
tion with Michigan. After the Americans gained 
actual possession of the country, the Lower Penin- 
sula formed the single county of Wayne in the 
Northwest Territory, and was entitled to one repre- 
sentative in the territorial legislature. 

iin^diain'a territory. 

Indiana Territory was organized by act of Congress 
in 1800, and two years later (1802) the Lower Penin- 
sula of the present State of Michigan was made a 
part of the new territory, and so remained until 
1805. Nothing of importance to Michigan history 
occurred during the brief union with Indiana, except 
the passage of an act of Congress (1804) '^'^ providing 
for the disposal of the public lands within the 
territory, to which the Indian title had been ex- 
tinguished. * * By this act, section 16 in each 
township was reserved for the use of schools within 
the same, and an entire township was to be located 
in each of the districts afterwards forming Michigan, 
Indiana, and Illinois, for a seminary of learning. 
This was the germ of the university fund in Mich- 
igan, and of the primary school fund.^'* 

* Judge Campbeirs "Outlines of the Political History of Michigan " 
3 



34 A PRIMER OF . 

MICHIGAN TERRITORY. 

On the lltli of January, 1805, Congress passed an 
act for the organization of Michigan Territory. ^^It 
was to embrace all that portion of Indiana Territory 
lying north of a line drawn east from the southerly 
bend or extreme of Lake Michigan, until it inter- 
sected Lake Erie, and lying east of a line drawn 
from the same southerly bend through the middle 
of Lake Michigan to its northern extremity, and 
thence due north to the northern boundary of the 
United States."* General William Hull was ap- 
pointed governor of Michigan Territory, and arrived 
in Detroit in July, 1805. A few weeks before the 
arrival of the governor the town had been destroyed 
by fire, and he found the people encamped in the 
fields, with scanty food and little shelter. But they 
were not discouraged by misfortune, and at once 
began to rebuild on the site now occupied by the 
metropolis of Michigan, f The population of the 
territory at that time did not exceed four thousand 
persons, and unfortunately there seemed to be little 

♦Judge Cooley's "Michigan.'" 

t Note.— The plan of the city was drawn by Judge Woodward, an 
eccentric character, who was chief justice of the territorial court at 
that time. " He regarded it as one tliat combined all the excellencies 
which could be culled from previous plans, from that of Constantinople 
to that of Washington city. It was upon a magnificent scale, and un- 
folded an outline which, he often declared, would require eight centuries 
to fill up. This was assigning an ample period for the consummation 
of almost any human project. But the plan, however admirable in 
theory, has proved inconvenient in practice. It has entailed embar- 
rassment on the place, which will probably perpetuate the projector's 
name through a long posterity, but without those encomiums which 
were, perhaps, anticipated."— Major Henry Whiting, "Historical and 
Scientific Sketches of Michigan." 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 35 

inducement for emigration from the eastern States. 
Detroit was made the territorial capital. 

About two years after the arrival of Governor 
Hull in Michigan^ the Indians, instigated by the 
English fur traders, began to show signs of evil 
intentions concerning the frontier settlements. Te- 
cumseh and his brother, generally known as the 
Prophet, were the leaders. The plan, which resembled 
the scheme of Pontiac, was not ready for execution 
for several years, but well-founded rumors of ill- 
feeling and evil designs reached the governor and 
people from time to time, which caused anxiety and 
retarded the settlement of the territory. 

Governor Hull had made a fair record in the 
Eevolutionary War, but he was poorly fitted to man- 
age discontented and crafty natives, or to guide the 
destinies of struggling pioneer settlements. Weak, 
vacillating, and timid, his administration was equally 
unfortunate for his own reputation and for the 
interests of the people of Michigan. 

Judge Woodward, chief justice of the territory at 
that time, did much to bring the governor into dis- 
repute; and General Hull contributed to this end 
by foolishly allowing himself to be drawn into fre- 
quent and undignified quarrels with the eccentric 
and testy justice.* 

* Note.— Judge Woodward was a queer genius. He was cliaracter- 
ized by one of his associates as " a theorist, fit only to extract sunbeams 
from cucumbers." But with all his oddities he rendered good service 
to the people of Detroit during the dangerous period which followed 
Hull's surrender. 



36 A PRIMER OF 

THE SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND. 

Such was the condition of territorial affairs, and 
such the leader, when the impressment of American 
seamen and other British insults, furnished occasion 
for another struggle with England. 

The Indians were encouraged by the gathering 
war-clouds long before the breaking of the tempest, 
and, in 1811, they assembled in considerable numbers 
on the banks of the Wabash River. Fortunately for 
Indiana and the whole northwest. General Harrison, 
the governor of that territory, was a brave and 
energetic officer, and lost no time in taking vigorous 
measures against the redskins. With an army of 
about nine hundred men lie marched to the Indian 
camp, called the Prophet's Town. He was met by 
some of the chiefs who professed surprise at his 
warlike movements, assured him that they had no 
thought of fighting, and asked for a conference on 
the morrow. General Harrison replied that he would 
be glad to give them an opportunity to disperse in 
peace, and would grant the desired council. In 
selecting an encampment and in making arrange- 
ments for the night, however, every precaution was 
wisely taken to prevent surprise in case of a treach- 
erous attack. True to their nature, the wily savages 
had only requested a conference for the purpose of 
throwing the soldiers off their guard and gaining an 
easy victory by a night attack. The Indians fell 



MICHIGAN HISTOKY. 37 

upon the camp about four o'clock in the morning, 
"but, contrary to their expectations, they found the 
army ready for action at a moment's notice. The 
engagement, which is known in history as the battle 
of Tippecanoe, took place on the 7th of November, 
1811, and resulted in the total defeat of the Indians, 
who dispersed and made no more trouble for the 
time. 

Governor Hull spent the winter of 1811-12 in 
Washington. He expressed deep anxiety concerning 
the exposed and defenseless condition of Michigan 
in the event of the threatened war with England, 
and urged the war department to place a strong 
naval force on Lake Erie. This advice was not 
heeded. Governor Hull was offered the command of 
a military force for the protection of the frontier, 
and the invasion of Canada if war should be declared. 
The command was first declined but afterwards 
accepted. With an army of about fifteen hundred 
men. General Hull started from Dayton, Ohio, and 
after a tedious march of three weeks reached Detroit 
on the 6th of July (1812). War was declared on 
the 18th of June, but through some neglect General 
Hull was not notified of the fact until the 2d of 
July. 

CAPTUKE OF FORT MACKINAC* 

Fort Mackinac was garrisoned by a little band of 

* Note.— This fort was removed from the mainland to Mackinac 
Island, by the English, in 1780, The new fort— which has been familiar 
to tourists for more than a century— was completed about 1783. 



38 A PRIMER OP 

fifty-seven men, under command of Lieutenant Porter 
Hanks. Situated in the heart of the Indian coun- 
try, this post was of great importance, and we can 
hardly understand why the war department and the 
commanding general were so stupid as to make no 
effort to send reinforcements. The British com- 
mandant on St. Joseph's Island learned of the 
declaration of war about the middle of July, and at 
once started for Mackinac with a force of nearly a 
thousand men. The British landed in the night 
time, on the northwest side of the island,* and pro- 
ceeded to a commanding position above the fort, 
where they planted their cannon and awaited the 
light of day. The sharp report of a hostile sunrise 
gun announced to the garrison the presence of the 
enemy, '^ and before the distant forests had ceased 
to re-echo the sound, * * a British officer, with 
flag in hand, appeared and demanded a surrender, 
emphasizing the demand by a statement of the over- 
whelming numbers of the invading army and a threat 
of indiscriminate slaughter by the savages at the first 
motion toward resistance." \ 

As he was apparently at the mercy of the foe. 
Lieutenant Hanks was obliged to surrender, and him- 
self and his men were paroled and sent to Detroit. 

Thus Fort Mackinac fell into the hands of the 
British, on the 17th of July, 1812. 



*At the place since known as the "British Landing." 
t Rev, J. A. Van Fleet's " Old and New Mackinac." 



I 



michiga:n^ history. 39 

general hull's canadian campaign-1812. 
General Hull had orders to cross the Detroit River, 
take possession of Canada, and dislodge the British 
at Fort Maiden.* His officers and men were impa- 
tient to go at once, but the slow-going commander 
was not ready to move until the 12th of July. At 
that time every hour of delay enabled the enemy to 
gather additional strength and lessened the chances 
of American success. The garrison at Maiden was 
small, and would probably have surrendered at once 
if General Hull had moved forward in a vigorous 
manner. But there was nothing of a vigorous or 
rapid nature in Hull's movements. *^' Under pretext 
that heavy artillery was necessary to an attack on 
the fort at Maiden, the army lay inactive at Sand- 
wich from the 12th of July to the 8th of August. 
One or two detachments were sent out in the mean- 
time, one of which, under the command of Colonel 
Cass, soon after the army crossed, drove in a picket 
stationed on the bridge over the river Canard, only 
a few miles from Maiden, and took possession of it, 
advising General Hull of the movement, and recom- 
mending an immediate attack on that place. The 
recommendation was slighted, and the detachment 
ordered to return, leaving the enemy to re-occupy a 
situation highly important to either party, in the 
event of a future attack.'' f 

* Near the present town of Amherstburg. 

t Major Henry Whiting, " Historical and Scientific Sketches of Mich- 
igan." 



40 A PRIMER OF 

While General Hull, Micawber like, was waiting 
at Sandwich for *^^ something to turn up/' General 
Brock moved toward Fort Maiden with a consider- 
able military force. On the 9th of August Hull 
recrossed the river, entered the fort at Detroit, and 
abandoned Canada after less than a month of inglo- 
rious occupation. 

The next day after his arrival at Maiden, General 
Brock moved up to Sandwich and summoned Gen- 
eral Hull to surrender. On the refusal of the latter, 
the British at once began a cannonade on the 
American fort, and the fire was returned, with little 
damage to either side.* 

HULL'S SURRENDER OF DETROIT AND MICHIGAN-1813. 

On the morning of July 16th General Brock 
crossed the river in plain sight and without resist- 
ance, and at once repeated his demand for the 
surrender of the fort. Brock had about thirteen 
hundred men and Hull not less than a thousand. 
Without consulting his officers, and without waiting 
to make any stipulations or terms. General Hull 

* Note.— During the cannonading it was noticed that a large pear 
tree which stood at the corner of Woodbridge and Griswold streets 
was serving as a mark to direct the fire of the [?ritish guns. An order 
was therefore given to cut it down, and a soldier by the name of 
Miller was sent to perform the task. The tree was tough, and the 
blows of the ax made but little impression. A shot from an English 
gun struck the tree at the spot where tlie soldier was chopping and 
cut off two-thirds of the trunk. Miller stopped a moment and ex- 
claimed : "• Fire away, John Bull ! You cut a great deal faster than 
I can!" He then went on and finished the work as if nothing had 
happened.— From. Silas Farmer's " History of Detroit." 



michictAJnT history. 41 

lioisted a white flag* and sent word to the British 
commander that he would surrender. 

The American officers and soldiers were provoked 
beyond measure at the cowardly action of the com- 
mander. Complaints were both loud and deep, and 
these criticisms ^' found an answering echo in every 
part of the country." 

Hull was accused of treason, cowardice, and crimi- 
nal neglect of duty; and although acquitted of the 
first charge, he was convicted by court-martial of 
the second and third, and sentenced to be shot. The 
President of the United States pardoned him in 
consideration of his services in the Eevolutionary 
War. 

BRITISH POSSESSION^ OF MICHIGAN" FOR A TIME. 

On taking possession of Detroit, General Brock 
placed Colonel Proctor, with a small force, in com- 
mand of the fort and Territory. Proctor soon pro- 
ceeded to organize the civil government. He assumed 
the title of Governor, and appointed Judge Wood- 
ward Secretary. In this position the former chief 
justice had some influence with the cruel Briton, 
and won the gratitude of the people whose interests 
he tried to protect. 

During the fall and winter following Hull's sur- 
render. General Harrison collected an army and 
started northward for the recovery of the frontier 

*A table clotli. 



42 A PRIMER OF 

posts. While at Sandusky, he sent General Win- 
chester in advance to the Maumee. A few days 
later General Winchester moved forward and en- 
camped on the Eiver Kaisin. On the 22d of Janu- 
ary (1813) the camp was attacked by the British and 
Indians, under Proctor. The Americans were sur- 
prised and obliged to surrender, and during the fol- 
lowing night the savages butchered the wounded 
soldiers and defenseless inhabitants of Frenchtown 
without mercy. For this and other cruelties for 
which Proctor was in a measure responsible, his name 
is held in deserved contempt. 

perry's victory and the recapture of MICHIGAN. 

Commodore Perry's victory at Put-in-Bay, Sept. 
10, 1813, by which the entire naval force of Com- 
modore Barclay was surrendered to the Americans, 
was a fortunate and decisive stroke. " The engage- 
ment began a quarter before noon. At three o'clock 
the British fleet surrendered, after one of the closest 
engagements known in naval history. No entire 
British fleet had ever been captured before. The 
utmost bravery was shown on both sides. The 
American loss was 27 killed and 96 wounded; the 
British, 41 killed and 94 wounded. * * The 
brave victor was as humane as he was valiant, and 
the dead of both fleets were buried together, with 
the same honors and the same solemn services, while 
the wounded were all tenderly cared for, and the 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 43 

unfortunate British commander, who was severely 
crippled, was treated with the generous kindness 
which he deserved/' * 

Immediately after the surrender. Commodore Perry 
wrote his immortal dispatch, '' We have met the 
enemy and they are ours,'' and sent it to General 
Harrison, who was on the lake shore about thirty 
miles distant. 

This victory prepared the way for the recapture of 
Michigan and the entire northwest. General Harri- 
son used the captured vessels to transport his army 
across Lake Erie, and prepared to clinch the advan- 
tao"e gained by a vigorous campaign in Canada. 
Maiden and Detroit were evacuated by the British 
and Proctor made a speedy retreat, much to the dis- 
gust of Tecumseh, but was overtaken and thoroughly 
defeated at Moravian Town.f Tecumseh was killed 
in the engagement, and Proctor fled. 

On the 29th of September (1813) the Americans 
again took possession of Detroit, and Colonel Lewis 
Cass was placed in command. 

MICHIGAN TERRITORY UNDER GOVERNOR CASS-1813 TO 1831. 

On the 9th of October, 1813, LeAvis Cass was made 
Governor of Michigan territory, by appointment of 
the President. 

♦Judge Campbell's "Outlines of the Political History of Michigan/* 
t Usually called "Battle of the Thames." 



44 



A PRIMER OF 




Arch Rock, Mackinac Island. 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 45 

FOET MACKINAC. 

In the mid-summer of 1814 an attempt was made 
to recover Mackinac Island, still held by the British. 
Lieutenant Croghan was sent to effect the recapture, 
but delayed the attack so long that the English 
commander had an opportunity to strengthen his 
position and increase his force, and the expedition 
ended in failure. During the engagement. Major 
Holmes, a brave and accomplished American officer, 
was mortally wounded. The island remained in the 
possession of the British until the year after the 
close of the war. The post was evacuated in the 
spring of 1815, and the fort was again occupied by 
American soldiers. 

THE GOVERNOR. 

The appointment of General Cass to the office of 
Governor was a fortunate event for Michigan. No 
better choice could have been made. The office at 
that time was one little to be coveted by any one 
who was afraid of difficulties, or unwilling to do 
hard and patient work. A man of strong charac- 
ter — thoroughly alive to the interests of the people, 
energetic, persevering, with large experience of 
pioneer life, and endowed with excellent judgment 
— such was the man who guided the destinies of 
Michigan through the better part of her territorial 
existence. 



46 A PRIMER OF 

CONDITION" OF AFFAIRS. 

At the beginning of his term of office, Governor 
Cass found a small population, confined to a few 
settlements on the eastern border, while the great 
interior was not only an uninhabited, but an un- 
known wilderness. 

Worse yet, it was often regarded as an impenetra- 
ble swamp, and people in the eastern states had no 
desire to gain a closer acquaintance with the coun- 
try. Some of the civil engineers sent out by the 
United States Government to survey lands for the 
bounty claims of soldiers, soon after the war of 1812, 
were responsible for false reports of this kind which 
helped to injure the territory. Governor Cass took 
pains to correct these wrong impressions, made 
treaties with the Indians, and secured the titles to 
their lands for the United States Government — 

Note.— In 1820 Governor Cass conducted an expedition to the Lake 
Superior region and the upper Mississippi, for tlie purpose of explor- 
ing the Territory and examining the natural resources of the countr5\ 
An incidental object was the selection of a site for a military post at 
the foot of Lake Superior. The Indians of the upper lakes were not 
very friendly to the United States, and during the council at the Sault 
they were disposed to question the right of the authorities to plant a 
garrison among them, notwithstanding the fact that the land had 
been ceded to the government of the LTnited States by the treaty of 
Greenville (1795). General Cass told them that as sure a.s the rising sun 
should set in the tvest there woidd be an American garrison establMied at 
that place. One insolent chief kicked away the presents which had been 
offered him, and the council broke up in anger ; a few minutes later the 
same chief hoisted a British flag in the Indian encampment. The 
plucky Governor, accompanied only by his interpreter, went at once to 
the spot, took down the insulting emblem and carried it away, telling 
the Indians that only the Amei-ican flag would he permitted to float over 
this soil, and that if they presumed to offer any further insults to our 
government the United States would set a strong foot upon their necks 
and crush them to the earth. 

The courage and spirit of Governor Cass gained the day, and the 
matter was soon settled without bloodshed. 



MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 47 

always treating them fairly and honorably. And 
after the necessary treaties had been made the lands 
were surveyed and opened for settlement. 

SURVEY AND SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS. 

The survey of public lands was begun in 1816, 
and, two years later, had i3rogressed sufficiently to 
permit the authorities to begin the sale. '^ This is 
the most important era in the history of Michi- 
gan, and from it may be dated the commencement 
of her march in the career of improvement.'^ * 
Farmers would not come in large numbers until 
there was a chance to procure lands, and little 
growth or prosperity could be expected without the 
tillers of the soil. But with the settlement of 
the interior, which practically began in 1818, came 
substantial growth and prosperity. 

THE PRINTING PRESS. 

The first printing press in Michigan was brought 
from Baltimore by the Rev. Gabriel Richard — a 
public-spirited man, who did much for the educa- 
tion and enlightenment of the people. A printing 
office was fitted up at Detroit, and a weekly news- 
paper, called '' The Micliigan Essay or Impartial 
Observer,^' was started in 1809, with James M. 
Miller as publisher. The price of the paper was 
^' %^ a year to city subscribers, 14.50 by mail to resi- 

* Major Jolin Biddle, "Historical and Scientific Sketches of Michi- 
gan." 



48 A PEIMEE OF 

dents of Upper Canada and Michigan^ and $4 to 
more distant subscribers '' (!) So far as can be as- 
certained this paper perished after an existence of 
one week. 

The second Michigan newspaper^ started in 1817, 
was called " The Detroit Gazette,'' and was published 
for a number of years, by Sheldon & Eeed. '"^ It 
was a Democratic paper" and was *^^ established at 
the suggestion and under the patronage of Governor 
Cass.''* That the publishers of the " Gazette'' did 
not grow suddenly rich, may be readily accounted 
for, as the total number of subscribers in 1820 was 
152, and the proprietors complained that only 90 of 
these were prompt in paying the annual subscrip- 
tion. 

THE STEAMBOAT— 1818. 

The first steamboat on the great lakes — the Wallc- 
in-the- Water — reached Detroit in the summer of 1818. 
Erom that time forth westward-bound settlers found 
fewer difficulties in coming to Michigan. For, al- 
though the WalJc-in-the-Water was wrecked in 1821, 
the Superior and other steamers soon took her place, 
and steam navigation contributed not a little to the 
commercial prosperity of the growing Territory. 

PUBLIC ROADS. 

'^Another matter of immediate and pressing impor- 
tance was that of roads. Immigrants could not come 

* Silas Farmer's "History of Detroit." 



MICHIGA]^ HISTORY. 49 

into the Territory in any considerable numbers so 
long as they must find their way through the woods 
by trails, or by roads cut out but never worked, 
and which in a little while by use became nearly 
impassable."* Roads around the west end of Lake 
Erie to Detroit, and from the latter place to Chi- 
cago, and other highways of importance were built 
as soon as possible, through the energetic and wise 
management of Governor Cass and his efficient 
assistant. Secretary Woodbridge. 

THE ERIE CANAL-1825. 

The opening of the Erie Canal, in 1825, was an 
event of great importance to Michigan. 

Steamers and sailing craft became abundant on the 
lakes, and it was estimated that not less than 300 
passengers a week were landed at Detroit during the 
fall of 1825. 

PROMOTION OF GENERAL CASS AND CONDITION OF THE 
TERRITORY IN 1831. 

In 1831 General Cass accepted the office of Secre- 
tary of War under President Jackson. 

* Judge Cooley's " Michigan," 

Note.— In 1822 Henry Rowe Schoolcraft was appointed Indian agent 
and took up his residence at the Sault de Ste. Marie. For nearly 
twenty years Mr. Schoolcraft continued to be one of the distinguished 
citizens of Michigan. He lived at the Sault the greater part of the 
time, and afterwards at Mackinac Island. His writings, "Thirty 
Years With the Indian Tribes," '* Narrative Journal of Travels from 
Detroit Northwest Through the Great Chain of American Lakes to 
the Sources of the Mississippi River," etc., are interesting to students 
of Michigan history, Mr. Schoolcraft took a great interest in the 
study of the Indian languages and character, and published several 
works on the subject. 



50 A PRIMEE OF 

For eighteen years he had managed the affairs of 
Michigan Territory with satisfaction to the people 
and honor to himself. He found the Territory suf- 
fering from the ravages of war, with a population 
of perhaps five thousand jDersons; he left it in pros- 
perity, with more than thirty thousand inhabitants, 
with developing resources and a bright future. 

CLOSE OF THE TERRITORIAL PERIOD. 

Geo. B. Porter of Pennsylvania was then appointed 
Governor of Michigan Territory, and Stevens T. 
Mason, Secretary. As Governor Porter was absent 
a considerable portion of the time, the Secretary — 
who was a beardless youth at the time of his ap- 
pointment — was acting Governor; and after the death 
of the chief executive, in 1834,* no change was 
made, and Mr. Mason continued to manage the 
duties of the office until the close of the Territorial 
Period. 

Meanwhile the population of Michigan Territory 
had reached and passed the number fixed by the 
Ordinance of 1787 — 60,000 — as necessary to admission 
as a State, and the people desired to be admitted 
into the Union. 

THE TOLEDO WAR. 

About this time a dispute arose concerning the 
boundary between Michigan and Ohio. Careless 
management had admitted Ohio, in 1802, with an in- 

* Note.— Governor Porter fell a victim to the cholera which visited 
Detroit in 1833 and 1834. 



MICHIGAJ^ HISTORY. 51 

definite northern boundary. The act of 1805, organ- 
izing Michigan Territory, fixed the boundary at a 
line running due east from the most southern bend 
•of Lake Michigan. This included Toledo and a con- 
siderable strip of land which Ohio tried to claim. 
In 1835 Governor Lucas of Ohio issued a proclama- 
tion assuming control, and the State Legislature 
passed an act to organize the county of Lucas. Act- 
ing Governor Mason of Michigan Territory called 
•out the militia and proceeded to Toledo to prevent 
the Ohio officers from exercising control of the dis- 
puted land. Several shots were exchanged, but no 
blood was shed. 

Anxious to settle the dispute without giving offense 
to Ohio and India-na — as a presidential election was 
.soon to take place, and votes were valuable — Con- 
gress endeavored to satisfy both parties by giving to 
Michigan the extensive territory known as the Upper 
Peninsula. Michigan reluctantly accepted the terms, 
permitted Ohio to fix the boundary as it is shown 
■on our maps, and herself acquired the title to the 
rich and valuable mineral districts of the Lake Supe- 
rior region. 

STATE GONVENTIOIs"S. 

The first State Convention for the adoption of a 
Constitution was held at Detroit, in May, 1835. An 
•election for the adoption of the Constitution, and 
for the election of State officers, was held on the 
first Monday of the following October. The Consti- 



52 A PEIMER OF 

tution was adopted by vote of the people, and Ste- 
vens T. Mason was elected Governor, Edward Mundy, 
Lieutenant Governor, and Isaac E. Crary, Eepre- 
sentative in Congress. The Legislature met in 
November (1835), and elected John Norvell and 
Lucius Lyon L^nited States Senators for Michigan. 
Everything was ready for admission into the Union,, 
but the unfortunate boundary dispute with Ohio 
prevented the favorable action of Congress. Several 
conventions were held in 1836, and in December of 
that year a body of men, mostly politicians, held a 
convention at Ann Arbor and decided to accept the 
terms proposed by Congress. This was called the 
^^ frost-bitten convention," but in spite of public ridi- 
cule, the action of this body was accepted by Con- 
gress, and Michigan was admitted into the Union,. 
January 27, 1837. 



CHAPTER IV. 
NliclTLigarL as a State— ISST to 1886. 

FIRST CONSTITUTIOIn^ OF MICHIGAN. 

The State Constitution under which Michigan was 
admitted into the Federal Union contained several 
peculiar features, which deserve brief mention. The 
Secretary of State, Auditor General and Attorney 
General were appointed by the Governor, with the^ 



MICHIGAI^ HISTORY. 53 

advice and consent of the State Senate. The Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction was appointed by the 
Governor, with the advice and consent of the Legis- 
lature, in joint vote. The Governor and Lieutenant 
Governor were elected, and all State officers above 
mentioned were chosen for a term of two years, as 
at present. Judges of the Supreme Court were ap- 
pointed by the Governor, with the advice and con- 
sent of the Senate, for a term of seven years. 

The Constitution contained the following provis- 
ion, which had a considerable influence on the early 
history of the State: ^^ Internal improvements shall 
be encouraged by the Government of this State ; and 
it shall be the duty of the Legislature, as soon as 
may be, to make provision by law for ascertaining 
the proper objects of improvement in relation to 
roads, canals and navigable waters," etc. 

i:n^^ter:n^al improvement scheme. 

It so happened that the Hon. Stevens T. Mason 
— '^the boy Governor of Michigan" — who was the 
first chief executive of the young State, was in 
hearty sympathy with the plan of internal improve- 
ments for which provision was made in the Consti- 
tution. With his approval, the Legislature speedily 
passed the necessary laws, and the scheme was put 
into execution. Arrangements were made to borrow 
five millions of dollars on bonds issued by the State, 
and Governor Mason was authorised to negotiate the 
loan. The Morris Canal and Banking Company 



54 A PRIMER OF • 

bought a portion of the bonds, and as agents, dis- 
posed of the remainder to the Pennsylvania United 
States Bank. About half of the purchase money 
had been paid into the State treasury when both of 
the buyers failed, and the Michigan bonds — v/hich 
were all in their possession — were turned over to 
their creditors. Here was a dilemma. It was highly 
important that the credit of the State should be^ 
maintained; and it was equally important to avoid 
the payment of several millions of dollars for which 
the State had received nothing. After due deliber- 
ation, Michigan statesmen decided to redeem the 
bonds that had been bought, and to refuse to pay 
the bonds that had been seized before they had been 
paid for. This decision, founded u]3on principles of 
equity, was received with respect by the business- 
world, and the terms offered were soon accepted by 
the holders of the bonds. 

Among the various internal improvements which 
were begun and carried on for several years by the 
State, two of the most important were the Michigan 
Central and Southern railroads. The first-named 
road was to begin at Detroit and extend to the 
mouth of the St. Joseph Eiver, on Lake Michigan. 
The second was to extend from Monroe to New Buf- 
falo. After an experience of four or five years in 
prosecuting these enterprises, and others of lesser 
note, it became evident to careful observers that it 
■would be better for the State to dispose of the rail- 
roads to private corporations; and accordingly, thfr 



MICHIGAi^' HISTORY. 55 

Michigan Central and Southern railroads^ which were 
only partially completed, Avere sold, in 1846, for the 
sum of two and a half millions of dollars. This was 
less than they had cost the State, but nevertheless 
the sale was considered a good bargain. Under the 
management of their new owners the roads were 
speedily pushed forward to completion, with some 
changes in the western portions of their routes. 
The rising city of Chicago, like a great magnet, 
drew the iron bands to the southward, and St. 
Joseph was left as a quiet monument of what 
''might have been." 

''wild-cat" baxkikg. 

When Michigan became the twenty-sixth member 
of the Union, there were fifteen banks doing busi- 
ness within her borders. But among other fanciful 
theories of that time was the notion that banking, 
like farming and store-keeping, should be free to 
all. Accordingly, in the spring of 1837, a general 
banking law was passed by the Legislature. Under 
this act "any ten or more freeholders" might engage 
in banking with a capital of not less than fifty thou- 
sand nor more than three hundred thousand dollars. 
The provisions for the security of the public were 
loosely framed, and proved utterly worthless in prac- 
tice. Among other things, it was provided that 
thirty per cent, of the entire capital should be paid 
in, in specie, before commencing business; that debts 
and bills issued should be secured by mortgages on 



56 A PRIMER OF 

real estate, etc. The banks were subject to exami- 
nation and supervision by commissioners. But all 
provisions of safety were successfully evaded by 
shrewd rascals in one way or another. Banks were 
started by persons who were mere adventurers, alike 
destitute of capital and credit. When the bank com- 
missioners started upon their rounds of inspection, 
bags of coin were secretly and swiftly carried by 
messengers from one bank to another, so that they 
were constantly deceived. The requisite amount of 
coin would be found in the vaults, the commission- 
ers could discover nothing wrong, and the inspec- 
tion was over. During the following night the coin 
would be spirited away to the next bank, and 
counted again as before. Meanwhile these fraudulent 
banks were issuing bills and getting them into cir- 
culation as fast as possible. 

The year 1837 is memorable as the time of a great 
financial panic in the United States. In June of 
that year, the Legislature of Michigan, in the hope 
of relieving the financial difficulties for the time being, 
passed a law authorizing the suspension of specie 
payment until May 16, 1838. But the general bank- 
ing law remained in force, banks were organized, 
and bills were issued as fast as possible during the 
period of suspension. The fraudulent banker waxed 
fat with his ill-gotten gains, and the irredeemable 
paper currency — generally known as ''^ wild-cat ^* 
notes — became almost as worthless as the paper 
upon which it was printed. Banks were located 



MICHIGAN^ HISTORY. 57 

anywhere and everywhere. One was found flourish- 
ing in an old saw-mill; and it was humorously 
asserted that ^'a hollow stump, to serve as a vault/' 
was all that was needed for a bank in those days.* 
The commissioners proceeded to close all banks 
that they could discover to be in an unsound condi- 
tion. And many of these fraudulent concerns only 
wished to operate long enough to put their worth- 
less bills upon the market. So, with those which 
were closed by the officers, and those which were 
closed voluntarily, the greater number of the "'wild- 
cat " banks had suspended operations by the end of 
the year 1839. But more than a million dollars of 
their worthless bills had been put in circulation, and 
whatever had been received in return was practically 
stolen from the people. In 1844 the general bank- 
ing law was declared unconstitutional, and "wild- 
cat" banks caused no further trouble. 

EDUCATION. 

By the Ordinance of 1787 — creating the North- 
west Territory — and subsequent legislation. Congress 
made provision for the support of public schools in 

* Note.— The Bank oe Singapore. "No school-boy ever saw the 
name of Singapore on his map of Michigan. It was one of the mag- 
nificent cities of the days of which we write, and was located in 
Allegan county. Its bank enjoyed an extensive cii'culation and con- 
siderable popularity, from the fact that most people supposed it to be 
in Asia. Tliat was a happy thought, in christening this particular 
wild-cat, to give it a name with an East India flavor. It inspired 
respect. The bank would not, by any means, have smelled so sweet 
by any other name. A gentleman, who took the bills because of the 
mellifluous title of the bank, relates a mournful story of how the 
aforesaid bank bursted while he was traveling about in the western 
part of the State looking for Singapore."— H. M. Utley, in " Michigan 
Pioneer Collections." 



58 ' A PRIMEE OF 

this part of the Union. The sixteenth section of 
every organized township* was set apart for the cre- 
ation of a permanent school fund, of which the 
interest only is used from year to year. Since 1858^ 
the ^'primary school fund/' as it is called, has been 
increased by the addition of one-half of the yearly 
cash receipts from the sale of swamp lands belong- 
ing to the State. It is estimated that when all the 
lands are sold, the primary school fund will reach 
the sum of four and a-half millions of dollars, and 
earn an annual income of three hundred thousand 
dollars for the support of schools. So much for 
the financial foundation of the Michigan school 
system, f 

After the State v/as admitted into the Union, one 
of the first steps of interest in this connection was- 
the appointment of a Superintendent of Public 
Instruction. By the advice of General Isaac E. 
Crary, Governor Mason selected for this important 
office the Rev. John D. Pierce, a Congregational 
clergyman, who was engaged in missionary work 
among the pioneers of central Michigan. The first 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction was a 
man of sound culture, broad views, and good judg- 

* Note. — One thirty-sixth of the total area, or about a million acres 
of land in Michigan. 

+ Note.— Since the State has been practically out of debt, a portion, 
of the specific tax received from corpbraiions — which formerly went 
into the sinking fund — has been devoted to the support of schools. 
In some years this has exceeded JSOO,000— making, with the interest 
on the permanent fund, about two-thirds of a million per annum. 
But the larger part of the sum required to supixirt the best schools is 
generously levied and raised as a direct tax, by vote of the people at 
the annual school meeting. 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 



5^ 




Hon. John D. Pierce, 

Foumler of the Michigan School System. 



60 A PRIMER OF 

ment. He had studied the school system of Prussia 
with care, and in mapping out a plan for Michigan 
he availed himself of whatever good things he could 
discover anywhere. Under his careful guidance, laws 
were devised and plans perfected for an educational 
system that has been a permanent blessing to the 
people of the State. 

Father Pierce — as the founder of the Michigan 
school system is reverentl} called — wished (1) to 
place the primary school within the reach of every 
child in the State; and (2) to establish a State 
University* for the higher culture of advanced stu- 
dents. 

The plan which was drawn up by Superintendent 
Pierce, and passed by act of the Legislature in 1837, 
contained most of the essential features of the pres- 
ent school system. And when it is remembered that 
Father Pierce was the first State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction in the United States, we are the 
better prepared to appreciate the wisdom and fore- 
sight of the founder of Michigan schools. 

After five years of hard work in the educational 
field, the worthy State Superintendent resigned his 
office to other hands, and resumed the work of the 
Christian ministry. 

* Note.— The State University had been a favorite project of Judge 
"Woodward, away back in the Territorial days. With tlie approval of 
Governor Cass, the eccentric jurist drew up a plan for an institution 
which he called the '"Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania," 
which was established by act of the Territorial Legislature, in 1817. 
But little progress had been made, however, in the realization of the 
university proper, when Father Pierce took charge of the educational 
affairs of the State. 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 61 

Other educational institutions were provided from 
time to time. The State Normal School — at Ypsi- 
lanti — was chartered in 1849; the Agricultural Col- 
lege — at Lansing — in 1855. The latter was the 
first agricultural college established in the United 
States. In providing for general education, the 
unfortunate have not been forgotten. There are (1) 
the School for the Blind — at Lansing; (2) the Insti- 
tution for the Deaf and Dumb — at Flint; (3) the 
State Public School for Dependent Children — at 
Coldwater.* Youthful criminals and unmanageable 
child^'en may be sent to the Eeform School for Boys 
— at Lansing — or the State Industrial Home for Girls 
— at Adrian — where they receive sound training, and 
often become good members of society. 

Meanwhile, one department after another has been 
added to the State LTniversity, eminent teachers have 
been employed, and it has become one of the leading 
educational institutions in America. 

The public schools have grown from the modest 
beginnings of pioneer days,f until their good influ- 

NOTE.— The Hon. John D. Pierce passed the greater part of his life 
in Michigan, and. flUed various positions of responsibility with credit 
to himself and satisfaction to the people. Full of years, and crowned 
with the rich blessings earned by a well-spent life, he died in 1882. 
His remains rest in tLie cemetery at Marsliall. 

* Note. —In establishing this school for the maintenance and educa- 
tion of dependent children, in 1871, Michigan was again the pioneer 
State, not only of the American Union, but of the world. 

t Note.— The walls of the pioneer school-house were made of logs» 
the roof of "" shakes," and the floor of " puncheons.'" Slabs with legs 
in them were used for seats, and the desks were formed by fastening 
rough boards upon pins driven into large auger-holes in the walL 
Chimneys, constructed of sticks and mortar, Avere used in place of 
stoves. Sometimes amusing incidents happened at these fireplaces: 
" A certain teacher had carefuly impressed upon the minds of his pupils 
the importance of tlvinking three times before they spoke once. Coming 



6^ A PRIMER OF 

ence, in "some measure at least, has readied every 
nook and corner of the State. The high schools of 
the cities and villages have done excellent service as 
connecting links between the primary schools and 
the higher institutions of learning, and in providing 
the means of fair culture to large numbers of stu- 
dents who could not or would not secure it other- 
wise. 

It is to be hoped that this educational system, 
•established by the founders of Michigan, and nur- 
tured by several generations of patriotic citizens, 
may be cherished in the future as in the past, for 
•education is the chief safeguard of a free State. 

PIOKEERS. 

Most of the early settlers of interior Michigan 
came from New England, New York, and Ohio. 
Eeared in the enjoyment of many of the blessings 
of American citizenship, they were alive to the value 
of the refining and ennobling influences of intellec- 
tual, moral, and religious training. Hence, they were 
the firm friends of the school and the church. Some 
of them came from the birth-place of the ^'^town 
meeting," and they took an active interest in the 

into the house one cold morning, he pulled, off his boots, and placed' 
them before the fire to thaw. Soon they began to scorch and fry 
before the intense heat of the fire. A thoughtful scholar, standing by, 
drawled out. *• Schoolmastei; I think.— I think— I think— your boots are 
burning.'' By tt.is time the boots had burned to a crisp."* and the boy 
learned that circumstances alter cases. 

* J. S. Tibbits, in " Michigan Pioneer Collections," 

Note.— The following denominational institutions should be men- 
tioned as educational factors in Michigan : Adrian College, Albion 
College, Battle Creek College, Detroit College, Hillsdale College, Hope 
College (Holland City), Kalamazoo College, Olivet College. 



MICHIGAI^ HISTORY. 63 

wise and honest government of their adopted State. 
Intelligent and public spirited, but prudent as well, 
they were good and safe citizens. 

The style of living was necessarily plain. For 
clothing, ^' cheap, coarse cloth answered the purpose, 
and the wives and daughters made it up for use. 
The pioneers could not be particular about other 
qualities of their cloth than those of wear and com- 
fort, and nobody would criticise the style or the fit. 
Silks for the woman and broadcloth for the man 
were rare extravagances; many a bridegroom, des- 
tined to become an important personage in business 
and political circles, went to the altar in Kentucky 
jean, and received his bride in calico; and the wed- 
ding journey, from the bride's home to the husband's, 
was made with an ox-team. * * There was little 
sentimentality in this, but there was New England 
hard sense, and good promise of domestic virtues and 
•contentment."* 

The first houses were log cabins, and the food of 
the pioneers, like the clothing, was plain and sub- 
stantial. Hard work was the order of th6 day. 
Village loungers and corner loafers were scarce among 
the people who converted the forests and " oak- 
openings" of the past into the fine farms and fruit- 
ful orchards of the present. 

Hospitality and genuine friendship are usual char- 
acteristics of pioneers, and the ^'^ pathfinders" of the 

* Judge Cooley's " Michigan." 



64 A PKIMEE OF 

Michigan wilderness were bright examples of the 
general rule. One who knew them says, they '' were 
a band of brothers in those times that tried men's 
souls. If one had a barrel of flour, it was divided 
with the others. No one was allowed to want for 
what another had."* 

MORMONS IN^ MICHIGAN. 

In 1847, a colony of Mormons, under the leader- 
ship of James J. Strang, located on Beaver Island. 
Their settlement was on the shore of the beautiful 
bay still occupied by the little hamlet of St. James 
— which they founded and named after their leader. 
Strang styled himself '^ King, "and monopolized the 
offices of "^apostle, prophet, seer, revelator, and 
translator." At first the Morman colony consisted 
of only five families, but a system of vigorous prose- 
lyting increased their numbers to nearly two thousand 
persons within the few years of their stay on the 
island. But internal dissensions arose, and Strang 
was assassinated in 185G. Soon after the death of 
the leader, the colony was dispersed by an armed 
band of fishermen from the neighboring shores, and 

* Hon. Charles D. Little, in " Michigan Pioneer Collections.''' 
Note.— After trains had been running for several years on the Mich- 
igan Central Railroad, the pioneers were startled one day by a strange 
noise. "It came through the woods as swift as lightning and 
its shrill and piercing voice was more startling than thunder. * * * 
What on earth could itbe?"t One of the pioneers thought it was a 
bear, and took his rifle and searched for hours for the animal with 
the big voice, but no bear was visible; and he soon discovered what was- 
doing the screaming. It was the steam whistle of the locomotive engine^ 
then a new invention. 
+ William Nowlin, " Michigan Pioneer Collections." 



MICHIGAIsr HISTORY. 65 

the Mormons were given only twenty-four hours to* 
** emigrate/' which they lost no time in doing. 

REMOVAL OF THE STATE CAPITAI^1847. 

From the time of Cadillac's occupancy of Fort 
Pontchartrain (1701) until 1847, the seat of govern- 
ment was at Detroit, but in the latter year the 
Legislature decided to locate the permanent capital 
of Michigan at Lansing — then covered by a dense 
forest, and forty miles distant from a railroad. The 
project was greeted with both ridicule and severe 
denunciation at first, but the decision was made and 
the location — on the banks of the Grand River — 
proved to be pleasant and generally satisfactory. 

SECOND CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN-1850. 

After an experience of more than a dozen years 
with the State Constitution under which Michigan 
came into the Union, the people wished to make 
some changes in the supreme law of the Common- 
wealth, and a convention for that purpose met at 
Lansing in June, 1850. After careful preparation, 
a new Constitution was submitted to the people, by 
whom it was adopted in due time. 

Among other changes, the second Constitution 
provides for the election, by the people, of all heads 
of State Departments and Judges of the Supreme 
Court, thereby lessening the power formerly given 
to the Governor, and placing the selection of the 
principal State officers — where it properly belongs — 
with the people. 



66 A PRIMER OF 

Suitable restrictions are placed upon the Legisla- 
ture to prevent the recurrence of any of the reckless 
financial management that involved the State in 
debt and loss in the early days. 

In their desire to be economical^, the framers of 
the new Constitution fixed the salaries of State offi- 
cers at low rates, and named the respective sums in 
an instrument which cannot be changed without the, 
consent of a majority of the legal voters. The sal- 
aries of the Grovernor, State Treasurer, Auditor 
General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction 
were fixed at $1,000 each, per annum; the Secre- 
tary of State, Commissioner of the Land Office, and 
Attorney General at $800 each. These salaries were 
low at the time, and, with the changed conditions 
of the labor market and cost of living, they have 
long been regarded as entirely out of keeping with 
the value of the services required, and not at all 
creditable to the great State of Michigan. Attempts 
have accordingly been made to amend this clause of 
the Constitution so as to offer a reasonable compen- 
sation for services that at present are only rendered 
by men of ability at a constant personal loss.* 

* Note.— The poor policy of paying such low salaries has been fre- 
quently noticeable in the office of State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction. Men of ability, who might have wielded great influence 
for good in the educational interests of the State, have lelt unable to 
hold the office for many years in succession, and frequent changes have 
naturally followed. Thus the office has lost the services of such men as 
Superintendents John M. Gregory, LL. D., Horace S, Tarbell, Cornelius 
A. Gower, and Varnum B. Cochran. 

During the Civil War, Governor Blair rendered excellent service to the 
Union by devoting his whole time to the duties of his office, " almost 
entirely at his own expense. The salary of $1,000— a miserable pittance 
at any time— was made by war prices and the depreciation of currency 



MICHIGAN" HISTOKY. 67 

* 

•Strange to say, however, thus far (1886) the amend- 
ment has failed to pass. 

POLITICAL MATTERS. 

When Michigan was admitted into the Union, the 
Democratic party was in power and the Governor of 
the State was a member of that party. Dissatisfac- 
tion with the financial mismanagement of 1837 and 
1838 caused a change in the political control of the 
State, which was secured by the Whig party — headed 
hy William Woodbridge — for a single term. From 
1841 to 1854 the Democrats were again in power. 
In the latter year the newly organized Republican* 
party elected its candidates, and, with the exception 
of a single term — 1883-85 — has continued in political 
■control of the State to the present time (1886). 

REFERENCE LISTS OF PROMIl^ENT OFFICERS OF 
MICHIGAi>r. 

Gove7'nors of the State. 

'Stevens T. Mason 1837 to 1840 

William Woodbridge 1840 '' 1841 

J. Wright Gordon (acting) 1841 " 1842 

John S. Barry 1842 '' 1846 

Alpheus Felch 1846 " 1847 

Wm. L. Greenly (acting) 1847 ''■ 1848 

"but a mere fraction of its ordinary value. The policy which prevents 
men of modest means from filling the offices of State is not only poor 
economy, but contrary to the cardinal principles of representative gov- 
ernment." 
Judge Campbeirs " Outlines of the Political History of Michigan." 
* Note.- -In the summer of 1854 a convention of Whigs, anti-Nebraska 
Democrats, and Free Soilers met at Jackson and organized the Republi- 
can party. 



68 A PKIMER OF 

Epaphroditus Kansom 1848 '' 1850 

John S. Barry 1850 '^ 1852 

Robert McClelland . 1852 '' 1855 

Andrew Parsons (acting) 1853 '^ 1855 

Kinsley S. Bingham 1855 '' 185^ 

Moses Wisner 1859 '' 1861 

Austin Blair 1861 '' 1865- 

Henry H. Crapo 1865 " 1869 

Henry P. Baldwin 1869 " 1873 

John J. Bagley 1873 ^' 1877 

Charles M. Croswell 1877 '' 1881 

David H. Jerome -_1881 '' 188a 

Josiah W. Begole 1883 '' 1885 

Eussell A. Alger 1885 '' 1887 

Superintendents of Public Instriiction. 

Rev. John D. Pierce 1837 to 1841 

Franklin Sawyer 1841 ^^1843 

Oliver G. Comstock 1843 " 1845 

Ira Mayhew 1845 " 1849 

Francis W. Shearman 1849 " 1855 

Ira Mayhew 1855 '' 1859 

John M. Gregory 1859 " 1865 

Oramel Hosford 1865 '' 1873 

Daniel B. Briggs.... 1873 '' 1877 

Horace S. Tarbell 1877 " 1878 

Cornelius A Gower 1878 " 1881 

Varnum B. Cochran 1881 " 1883 

Herschel R. Gass 1883 '' 1885 

Rev. Theodore Nelson 1885 '' 1887 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 69 

U. S. Senators from Michigan. 

Lucius Lyon 1836 to 1840 

John Norvell 1836 '' 1841 

Augustus S. Porter 1840 '' 1845 

William Woodbridge 1841 '' 1847 

Lewis Cass 1845 " 1848 

Alplieus Felch 1847 '' 1853 

Charles E. Stuart 1853 '' 1859 

Zachariah Chandler 1857 '' 1875 

Kinsley S. Bingham 1859 '' 1861 

Jacob M. Howard 1862 '' 1871 

Thomas W. Ferry 1871 " 1883 

Isaac P. Christiancy 1875 '' 1879 

Zachariah Chandler .1879 '' 

Henry P. Baldwin 1879 '' 1881 

Omar D. Conger 1881 '' 1887 

Thomas W. Palmer 1883 " 1889 

Micliiga7i Members of Presidents^ CaMnets. 

General Lewis Cass, Secretary of State under 
President Buchanan. 

Robert McClelland, Secretary of the Interior 
under President Pierce. 

Zachariah Chandler, Secretary of the Interior 
under President Grant. 

MICHIGAN IN THE CIVIL WAR-1861~65. 

During the four years of the Civil War, Michigan 
was fortunate in having Austin Blair as her chief 
executive. Every effort was made to lend all possible 



70 A PEIMER OP 

support to the United States government in its 
struggle for existence. Few States were more prompt^ 
and none sent braver soldiers to the front. AIL 
told, Michigan furnished 90,747 men, of whom 
14,855 died in the service of the Nation. The ^'war 
Governor '' devoted his entire time and energy to* 
the performance of his public duties, and earned 
the respect and gratitude of all patriotic citizens. 

The veteran General Cass,* who had recently been 
a member of President Buchanan's cabinet, was 
present at the first '^^war meeting" held in Detroit 
and lifted his voice in support of the federal 
union. 

At that time, Zachariah Chandler was a member 
of the United States Senate^ and no man exerted a 
more vigorous influence in opposition to the Eebel- 
lion than the brave and outspoken '' war Senator of 
Michigan." On the floor of the Senate, in public- 
speeches, in his^intercourse with the people and with 
the officials of the Nation — everywhere. Senator 
Chandler was an active and influential supporter of 
the Constitution and an unflinching foe to treason 
and disunion. He was the champion of whatever he- 
believed to be right, and no threats or dangers were 
sufficient to turn him from the path of honor or the- 
performance of duty. As the friend of the soldier, 
he rendered unnumbered services of kindness. ^"'A 
blue uniform gained for its wearer prompt admit- 

* Note.— General Cass died at his home in Detroit, June 17, 1866. 



MICHIGA^^ HISTORY. 71 

tance to his room and a careful hearing for any 
request/^ * 

With prudent and fearless leaders, and brave 
soldiers, Michigan made a good record in the war. 

MISCELLAISTEOUS. 

In 1852, Congress granted 750,000 acres of land 
to the State of Michigan for the construction of a 
ship-canal around the rapids of the St. Mary's Kiver. 
The contract was let to a private company and the 
canal and lock were completed in 1855. This opened 
Lake Superior to the navigators of the lower lakes 
and exerted a great influence upon the development 
of the Upper Peninsula. A new lock, with a single 
'Hift " instead of the two used in the old lock, was 
completed by the United States government in 1881, 
and has proved of great convenience to the shipping 
of the lakes. 

The new State Capitol building was begun in 
1873, and has been completed at a cost of about one 
and one-half millions of dollars. 

* '* Life of Zachariah Chandler," by The Post and Tribune. 

Note.— Mr. Chandler served three terms (18 years) in the Senate. He 
was made Secretary of the Interior in President Grant's cabinet (1875- 
1877). For the fourth time he was elected to the United States Senate- 
February, 1879, upon the resignation of Senator Christiancy. During 
the spring and early summer. Senator Chandler was engaged in the 
political canvass with his usual zeal, although his health was somewhat 
impaired. He died suddenly at the Grand Pacific hotel, Chicago, after 
having made a ringing speech the same night (Oct. 31, 1879) at McCormic 
Hall. 

Note.— As a matter of local curiosity rather than of importance, it 
may be remembered that in the fall of 1864 some of the rebels who were 
then sojourning in Canada made an attempt to capture the U. S. revenue 
cutter '' Michigan." The plot failed in execution, and the people of the 
lake ports were not called upon to witness the threatened destruction of 
their cities. 



72 A PRIMER OF 

Under the present Constitution^ the State Legis- 
lature consists of one hundred Eepresentatives and 
thirty-two Senators, chosen at the general election — 
which is held on the first Tuesday after the first 
Monday in November of every even year. The 
Legislature holds one regular session every two years, 
beginning on the first Wednesday of January after 
the general election. 

Under the apportionment based upon the census 
of 1880, Michigan is divided into eleven congressional 
districts. 

By the revision of the criminal laAvs in 1846, the 
death penalty for murder in the first degree was 
changed to imprisonment for life. 

From 1855 to 1875 the State had a prohibitory liquor 
law on her statute books. Since that time laws have 
been enacted for the taxation and restraint of this trafiic. 

REFERENCE LISTS OF STATE INSTITUTION'S. 

Educational. 
State University Ann Arbor 

Agricultural College Lansing 

Normal School Ypsilanti 

Institution for the Deaf and Dumb Flint 

Institution for the Blind Lansing 

Public School for Depend't Children, Coldwater 

Michigan Mining School Houghton 

Educational and Reformatory. 

State Eef orm School for Boys Lansing 

^' Industrial Home for Girls Adrian 



MICHIGASr HISTORY. 73 

Gliaritable, 

Insane Asylums Kalamazoo^ Pontiac, Traverse City 

Soldiers' Home Grand Rapids 

Penal. 

State House of Correction Ionia 

^^ Prison Jackson 

" '' Marquette 

COKGLUSIOK. 

The first half century of State history has wit- 
nessed many wonderful changes. In 1837 the interior 
was sparsely settled, and the forests and prairies 
showed few signs of human industry. Wagon roads 
were scarce and poor, and there was no completed 
railroad. Postal arrangements were exceedingly in- 
convenient, and correspondence was an expensive 
luxury. The population of the State was 174,467. 
Cities there were none. Schools, churches, and 
newspapers were few, and the privations of pioneer 
life were many and severe. 

Fifty years have changed the wilderness into more 
than a hundred thousand cultivated farms. Five 
thousand miles of railroads afford good market and 
travelling facilities to the people of almost every 
county in the State. The census gatherer reports a 
population of nearly two millions of people. Ten 
thousand schools afford instruction to about four 
hundred thousand pupils.* Churches are numerous, 

* Note.— In our gratitude for what has been accomplished, we should 
not forget that only about three-fourths of the youth of school age are 



74 A PRIMER OF 

and religions inflnences shonld be felt in every com- 
munity. Postal facilities have improved a hundred 
fold, and the newspaper is abroad in the land. 

Times have changed, and the people of the pres- 
ent are enjoying numberless blessings gained by the 
toils and trials of the past. What are our duties to 
the future? 



CHAPTER V. 

A Brief Sketch of tine Nlaterial Re= 
soiarces of thie State. 

LOCATION AND SIZE. 

Michigan lies between 48° 20' and 41° 42' north 
latitude^, and between 90° 32' and 82° 25' longitude 
west from Greenwich. Bounded on three sides by 
the great lakes, it has a coast line of 1,620 miles. 
According to the geograi^her of the tenth census, 
the area of Michigan is 58,915 square miles. In 
addition to the mainlands of the two peninsulas, the 
political limits of the State include 179 islands, from 
one acre in area upwards. Michigan consists of 82 
counties, including the island counties of Isle Eoyal 
and Manitou. 

SURFACE. 

In the Lower Peninsula the surface is generally 

yet enrolled in the schools, Avhile the average daily attendance is con- 
siderably less. This is not as it should be, and it is' the duty of all good 
citizens to improve this state of affairs by all possible means. 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 



75 



I MAP I 

SHOWING LOCATION OF 




SCALE, 100 MILES-. 



RAND, MC NAtLY & CO. 



.76 A PRIMER OF 

level or gently rolling. The average elevation is 
estimated at about 500 feet above the level of Lake 
Michigan. T.ie highest point of the most elevated 
plateau of this peninsula — in Otsego county — is 1,200 
feet above the same level. Although there are no 
mountains and few hills of considerable height in 
this portion of the State, the surface is sufficiently 
rolling to be well drained in most places by the 
numerous streams which flow toward the surround- 
ing lakes. So that, notwithstanding the false reports 
of some of the early surveyors, central Michigan 
contains comparatively few swamps. 

The eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula is 
generally low and level, while the western portion is 
rocky, hilly, and even mountainous in some places. 
The highest knob of the Porcupine Mountains has 
an altitude of 1,380 feet above the level of Lake 
Superior. 

The State contains 5,173 inland lakes. 

The Saginaw, Grand, and Muskegon rivers are the 
most important streams. In places the water-shed 
is so narrow that several streams flowing|in opposite 
directions originate within a radius of three or four 
miles.* 

Many of the rivers and creeks flowing through the 
pine forests are used as ^ '^ logging '' streams by the 
lumbermen. 

That portion of the Lower Peninsula which lies 

* Note.— The Kalamazoo, Grand, St. Joseph, Raisin, and Maumee 
rivers rise on Hillsdale Summit. 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 77 

south of a line* drawn from Grand Haven to the 
mouth of the Saginaw Eiver is the region chiefly 
devoted to agriculture. 

This section originally consisted of "oak openings/' 
prairies, and extensive forests of hard-wood timber. 

Between the first line and a line drawn from the 
northwest corner of Manistee county to the north- 
east corner of Alpena county lie the vast pine forests 
of central Michigan. 

The remaining counties — north of the last men- 
tioned line — consist chiefly of hard-wood lands, and 
are adapted to agriculture. 

The eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula con- 
sists of forests of pine and hard -wood timber, with 
some swamps and barren plains. 

The western portion contains valuable mineral 
deposits, and extensive forests of pine and hard- 
wood timber. 

The shores of Lake Superior are bold and pictur- 
esque in many places. The fantastic forms of the 
''Pictured Rocks" — carved out of the precipitous 
sandstone coast by the action of the waves — are alike 
interesting to the geologist and to the unscientific 
traveler. Low sand hills or dunes have been thrown 
up by the winds at various places on the shores of 

* Note.— It should be clearly understood that these divisions are only 
approximately correct, and made simply for the purpose of description. 
There is some pine south of the first line, and there are considerable 
tracts of hard-wood timber in some of the counties of the pine belt. But 
for a rough generalization these divisions are believed to be as nearly 
correct as can be made by straight lines. 



78 A PRIMER OF 

the great lakes, and are particularly noticeable on 
the Michigan shore of Lake Michigan. 

SOIL. 

The soil varies so much in different localities, and 
so many varieties are often found in the same neigh- 
borhood or even on the same farm, that anything 
like a careful and accurate statement of the subject 
would far exceed the limits of this work. 

It may be stated, in general terms, that the 
soil varies from a sandy loam to a strong clay on 
the one hand, and to a light sand, in some places, 
on the other. In those sections covered exclusively 
with pine, the soil is usually light and poor. But 
the hard-wood lands, prairies, and oak openings of 
the Lower Peninsula are generally fertile and adapted 
to the ordinary field, garden, and orchard crops. 
The eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula has 
some good soil; in the western portion the greater 
part of the soil is light, and loses its strength after 
a few crops of vegetables. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate of Michigan is considerably modified 
by the large bodies of water on three sides of the 
State. Owing to the fact that water parts with its 
heat very slowly, the great lakes serve as reservoirs, 
storing up the heat rays of the sun through the 
long summer days and giving uj) their warmth to 
the atmosphere during the autumn and early winter. 



MICHIGAJ^" HISTORY. 79 

This accounts, to a considerable degree at least, for 
the late falls of this section. The vapor and warmth 
arising from the lakes serve to protect the crops of 
the neighboring shores from destructive frosts. And 
as the prevailing winds are from the west, the east- 
ern shore of Lake Michigan is more fully protected 
than other parts, and is therefore a natural fruit 
region.* 

The mean annual rain-fall of the State is about 
31 inches, f 

The average annual temperature of the State is 
46 ^V/ Fah.t 

FAEM PRODUCTS. 

Among the material resources of Michigan the 
products of the soil claim the place of first impor- 
tance. It is estimated that half of the labor of the 
people is devoted to this industry. And owing to 
the fertility of the lands under cultivation, combined 

* Note.— By reference to a map or chart showing the isothermal lines, 
it will be seen that the line which passes through Chicago bends north- 
ward and crosses through Leelanaw Peninsula at Northport. (1) Wliat 
is the meaning of the change in direction? and (2) what is the cause 
Avhich underlies the condition represented by the line ? 

+ Note— The severity and length of the winters, and the consequent 
depth of snow, gradually increase from the Indiana line to the extremity 
of Keweenaw Point. In tlie southern half of the Lower Peninsula, the 
snow seldom reaches an average depth of more than 13 or 15 inches at 
any time, and the ground is rarely covered with snow more than three 
months during the year. In the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula 
it is a common thing to see the snow 24 inches deep on the level, and tbe 
ground is usually covered for five months of the year. In the L,aiie 
Superior region an average depth of 48 inches of snow is a common ex- 
perience, and the earth is usually covered during six months ot the year. 
In the latter region the nights are usually quite cool during the summer, 
and overcoats and fires are sometimes needed in July and August. 

t Note.— The mean annual temperature at Grand Haven is 47 2-100°; at 
Detroit, 48 28-100°; at the Agricultural College, Lansing, 41) 64-100 ; at 
Alpena, 41 60-100°; at Escanaba, 40 60-100°; at Marquette, 41 97-100 . 



80 A PKIMER OF 

with favorable climatic conditions and good market 
facilities, Michigan farms — according to reliable 
statistics for a term of years — have earned a greater 
average income per acre than those of most of the 
other States in the Mississippi valley. 

Wheat is the leading crop and brings more money 
than all the other surplus field crops combined. In an 
average year, Michigan produces about twenty-five or 
thirty million bushels of wheat. Winter wheat — the 
kind principally raised — is usually sown in Septem- 
ber and harvested in the following July. The market 
price is generally not far from one dollar per bushel. 

Indian corn is an important croj) in the southern 
portion of the State. 

- Oats, barley, clover-seed, hay, and garden vegeta- 
bles are grown with profit. 

Potatoes are raised in all parts of the State, but 
reach greatest perfection and yield most abundantly 
when grown on the newly cleared lands of the north- 
•ern counties. 

Stock-raising is carried on to a considerable extent. 

FRUITS. 

Since the time when it was found that peaches of 
fine quality could be profitably raised on the western 
border of the State — about the year 1840 — fruit 

Notes.— The corn crop of 1884 was more than 33,000,000 bushels. The 
oat crop was over 25,000,000 bushels. The potato crop was about 14,000,000' 
bushels. The hay crop was over 1,600,000 tons. The wool ''clip'' exceeded 
13,000,000 pounds. Large quantities of celery are raised near Kalamazoo 

which is sometimes called " Celeryville." 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 81 

culture has rapidly increased until Michigan is the 
leading fruit producer of the Mississippi Valley. 

Apples grow in all sections and are raised in large 
quantities in many of the counties of the Lower 
Peninsula. A good crop yields four or five millions 
of bushels. The average crop is a little less than 
three millions. 

Peaches are grown now in considerable quantities 
in some of the interior counties of southern Mich- 
igan^ but the crop is considered more reliable near 
the western shore. The average yield for seven years 
(1878 to 1885) was about two hundred thousand 
bushels per annum. 

Small fruits — raspberries blackberries, strawberries, 
etc. — are raised in large quantities. Cherries, plums, 
and pears are grown. 

VALUE OF THE PRODUCTS OF THE SOIL. 

The total value of the agricultural products of the 
State for an average year has been estimated at 
about eighty-eight millions of dollars. 

FOREST PRODUCTS. 

The forest products of Michigan are second only 
in importance to the fruits of the soil. During the 
past thirty years, the lumbering business has been a 
valuable source of wealth. It is stated that the total 
receipts from this industry have exceeded one billion 

Note,— In 1885 the apple orchards of Michigan covered an area of 237,- 
703 acres, and the peach orchards 11,327 acres. 

5 



82 A PBIMER OF 

of dollars, or more than the lumber products of any- 
other State. 

In 1854 there were 61 mills, many of them small, 
and the '^cut" of that year was estimated at 108,- 
000,000 feet of lumber. The number of mills in 
operation had increased twenty-five fold in 1872. 
The average yearly cut for several years has been 
about three billions of feet. 

In the various branches of the lumber manufacture 
from fifteen to twenty thousand men find employ- 
ment. 

This industry follows the courses of the streams, 
which serve to carry the pine logs from the forests 
to the mills.* On the eastern side of the State the 
Saginaw River is the most important stream. Its 
various tributaries, the Tittabawassee, the Cass, the 
Flint, the Shiawassee, the Bad, the Pine, the Chip- 
pewa, the Tobacco, and others, penetrate finely 
timbered regions, and as the Saginaw is navigable 
for large vessels, the shipping facilities are excellent. 
It is not strange, therefore, that this river should 
be lined with saT-mills and other wood-working 
establishments, some of them among the finest in 
the world. The Au Sable, Thunder Bay, and numer- 
ous other rivers flowing into Lake Huron are also 
alive with this important industry. 

Note.— The lumber cut of an average year would load a train of ca,rs 
about two thousand mi les long, with 10,000 feet to the car. It would build 
substantial frame dwellings for a million of people. 

* Note.— Railroads have been constructed in some places where valu- 
able timber is situated at a distance from any good "logging stream, 
and the logs are carried to the mills on cars. 



MICHIGAN HISTORY. 83 

On the western side of the State, Muskegon is the 
center of greatest importance — cutting, it is said, 
more lumber annually ^^than any other single city 
in the world.'' The Manistee, Grand, and other 
streams flowing into Lake Michigan, carry large 
numbers of logs to the great saw and shingle mills 
of that region. 

The Upper Peninsula lumbering interests have not 
heen developed yet to the extent warranted by the 
rich forests, but the annual product is an important 
source of wealth, and the industry furnishes employ- 
ment to a considerable number of men. 

Although the cutting of pine lumber has received 
■chief attention in Michigan, the forests of hard- 
wood trees cover a much greater area now than the 
standing pine.* The hard- wood forests yield sup- 
plies of the several varieties of the maple — including 
£L limited quantity of the beautiful ^^ bird's-eye " — 
white ash, rock elm, oak, etc., all of which are 
valuable in various ways. The beech, used chiefly 
for fuel, is found in large quantities. The arbor 
Titae, which is valuable for fence posts and telegraph 
poles, grows in the swamps. The hemlock is prized 
more for its bark than for its lumber. The bark is 
sold in large quantities to leather manufacturers. 

The maple sugar product of Michigan, iji a good 
season, amounts to four or five millions of pounds. 



* Note. —According to a recent forestry bulletin, the merchantable 
ine of Michigan is distributed over about 7,000,000 acres of land ; the 
ard-wood timber covers about 30,000,000 acres. 



84 A PRIMEE OF 

Some intelligent observers think that before many 
years the products of the hard-wood forests will 
equal in value the present returns of the pine. 
^' Certainly the time is not far distant when hard- 
wood saw-mills must become common^ and the 
innumerable industries into which such timber 
enters must rapidly multiply. For years to come 
Michigan will keep its rank as the great timber- 
producing State, and this interest will continue to 
furnish profitable investments for capital, remuner- 
ative employment for the laborer, and a sure home 
market for the produce of the farmer.'* 

VALUE OF THE FOREST PRODUCTS. 

The total value of the forest products of Michigan 
is estimated at not less than sixty millions of dollars 
per annum. 

MINERAL PRODUCTS. 

The observations of the early missionaries and 
traders,* and the more accurate explorations of Grov- 
ernor Cass, Mr. Schoolcraft, Dr. Houghton, Colonel 
Long and others, furnished good grounds for general 
belief in the mineral wealth of the Upper Peninsula 
before Michigan became a member of the Federal 
Union. Immediately after the organization of the 
State, the Legislature made a liberal appropriation 
for the purpose of beginning a thorough geological 

* Note.— An English mining company was organized about 1770, with 
Mr. Alexander Henry as superintendent, and an attempt was made to 
start a mine near the mouth of the Ontonagon River, but the enterprise 
was soon abandoned. For a full account, see Henry's " Travels." 



MICHIGAIs" HISTORY. 85 

survey. Dr. Douglas Houghton became the first 
State Geologist of Michigan, and made " such care- 
ful exploration of the south shore of Lake Superior 
as to clear up the mists of tradition, illuminate the 
subject, and attract the attention of the people of 
the United States and of Europe to the new mineral 
fields of North America.''* Dr. Houghton was 
engaged on the surveys until the time of his death, 
in the fall of 1845. f His first Geological Keport 
was made to the Legislature in 1841, and created 
great interest in the mineral possibilities of Michigan. 

COPPER. 

By a treaty with the Chippewa Indians, made in 
18*42, the lands of the Lake Superior region lying 
€ast of Fond du Lac were ceded to the United States. 
This opened the way for the prosecution of explora- 
tions, and the government was soon in receipt of 
requests for mining ^^ permits." Public interest 
waxed greater from time to time as new evidences 
of the metallic wealth were discovered, and the years 
1844, 1845, and 1846 witnessed no little excitement 
on Lake Superior. The beautiful and ^'^ rock-bound 
haven " of Copper Harbor became the first centre of 

* '' Mineral Resources of Lake Superior," by A.. P. Swineford. 

+ Note.—" In the autumn of 1845, while on his last expedition for the 
season, when approaching Eagle River In a small boat a sudden storm 
arose, and before his frail bark could find a safe landing place * * * 
it was capsized, and all on board perished save one man. The whole 
country was shocked at this tragical event, and science mourned for one 
of its brightest ornaments. Aside from personal considerations, his 
death was to be deplored ; many of his field-notes were lost with him, 
and the treasures of his well stored mind were irreparably beyond recall." 
—[A. P. Swineford.] 

The body was found in the following spring and buried at Detroit. 



86 A PEIMER OF 

mining operations, and presented a lively and pictur- 
esque appearance during the few summers of its- 
prosperity. 

The Trap Eange is a belt of dark-colored rock, 
from one to seven miles in width, and extending 
from the Porcupine Mountains to the extremity of 
Keweenaw Point — about one hundred forty miles 
in length. In this trap rock the deposits of native* 
copper are found. 

The most important mines of the early days were 
the Cliff, '^ of Keweenaw county, and the Minnesota,^ 
of Ontonagon. The former was opened in 1845 and 
the latter in 1848. '' The first general mining law 
of the State Avas made in 1853.''^ 

Other mines were opened from time to time, and 
the copper product was rapidly increased. Tiie most 
important event in the history of copper mining on 
Lake Superior was the discovery of the deposit at 
the Calumet and Hecla location, in 1865. This has 
proved to be the most valuable copper mine in the 
world and produces the lion's share of Michigan 
copper. 

* Note.— iVatfue copper is pitre copper, as distinguished from the ores 
of the metal. It should be noted that the copper mined on Lake Superior 
is not an ore at aU, but the pure metal. There are small beds of copper 
ore, but they are unimportant and have not been worked for years. 
This explanation seems the more necessary for the reason that writers 
unacquainted with the subject are continually making the error, and one 
of the texts of '' Michigan (Geography " makes the same blunder. 

1 Note.— During their prosperous days, the CUff and Minnesota yielded 
m^ore than $3 000,000 each to their stockholders, and thereby contributed 
to the increase of public confidence in the profits of Lake Superior min- 
ing ventures at a time when the losses in other mines were exerting an 
opposite influence, 

2 "Annual Report of the Commissioner of Mineral Statistics" for 1883, 
by Chas. E. Wright. 



MICHIGAN- HISTORY. 87 

About forty copper mines in Michigan have been 
worked more or less since 1845. The low prices of 
copper for the past few years have interfered with 
the prosperity of the poorer mines, and many of 
them have been ^'shut down." The number of 
working mines at the present time (1886) is about 
a dozen. The annual copper product is estimated 
to be worth not less than eight millions of dollars 
a year. 

In quality, the native copper of Lake Superior is 
unequaled by the product of any copper ore, and 
therefore commands a more ready sale and a better 
price in the markets of the world. The supply 
shows no signs of exhaustion, and there is every 
reason to believe that this important industry will 
continue for many years to come. 

Note.— From the commencement of mining operations on Lake Super- 
ior to May 1, 1884, the total dividends paid by Michigan copper mines 
had reached the sum of $37,140,000. The dividends for the year 1883 were 
as follows : 

Atlantic Mine S80,000 

Calumet and Hecla 2,000,000 

Central .-_ 60,000 

Osceola 200,000 

Quincy 380,000 

Total for the year $2,720,00*1 

The Tamarack, a new mine near the Calumet and Hecla, and on the 
same lode, bids fair to become one of the profitable mines at once. 

In the various operations connected with copper mining on Lake 
Superior, probably five thousand men find constant and remunerative 
employment. The work in the mines is dangerous, and many lives are 
lost every year through accidents of one kind or another. 

Note.— During the 30 years of its active existence, the Calumet and 
Hecla has paid about $35,0;K),(X)0 in dividends. For a number of years 
the usual profit has been tf2,000,000 a year. Two thousand men are em- 
ployed, and all the operations of the mine are carried on upon the most 
extensive scale. The machinery for hoisting the rock, pumping water 
from the mine, etc., is magnificent. The mine has reached a depth of 
about two-thirds of a mile, on a slant of 39°. Half a dozen railroads ex- 
tend from top to bottom through the slanting tunnels or " shafts " which 
have been cut in the rock, and ponderous iron cars, called " skips," are 



88 A PRIMER OF 



iro:n". 



Although the presence of iron ore in some of the 
metamorphic rocks of the Upper Peninsula was not 
unknown to Dr. Houghton when he made his Geo- 
logical Report, in 1841, it was supposed that the 
percentage of metal was not sufficiently high to pay 
for mining. In 1844, a party of U. S. surveyors 
running lines near the present site of Negaunee, 
observed great variations in the magnetic needle. 
After placing the instrument in various places and 
witnessing rapid and remarkable changes, Mr. Burt, 
who was in charge of the work, called out, '^''Boys, 
look around and see what you can find!" 

They left the line, and after a brief search re- 
turned with a number of specimens of magnetic iron 
ore, which was found to be both rich and abundant 
in the neighborhood. ^' To the government survey- 
ors, therefore, belongs the credit of having first 
given to the world information of the existence of 
iron in considerable quantities in the country bor- 
dering the south shore of Lake Superior.'^* 

In 1845 a company was organized at Jackson and 
explorers were sent to the Lake Superior region to 
locate some mineral lands. They selected the prop- 
drawn up by steel- wire ropes at a speed of ten or twelve hundred feet 
per minute. Each skip carries about two tons of rock at a load. The 
best rock yields about five per cent of copper. At the " stamp-mills " 
the rock is crushed fine by ponderous iron hammers, wator is turned on 
and the powdered rock, being lighter than copper, is washed out and the 
copper, in fine grains, remains in the bottom of the trough. It is then 
sent to the "■ smelting furnace," where it is cast into " ingots," etc. 
* " Mineral Resources of Lake Superior," by A. P. Swineford. 



MICHIGA?^ HISTORY. 89 

erty afterwards known as the Jackson Mine. In the 
course of the next three or four years mining oper- 
ations were begun on a small scale at the Jackson 
and other mines which were opened from time to 
time in the neighborhood, and some iron was 
smelted* in the primitive forges or ^' bloomeries " 
of ' Lake Superior, But extensive and profitable 
mining was delayed until after the completion of 
the ship-canal and locks at the Sault de Ste. Marie, 
which opened Lake Superior to the vessels of the 
lower lakes, in 1855. The regular shipment of iron 
ore to lower lake ports began in 1856. The high 
price of iron during the Civil War stimulated the 
industry and made mines profitable that had not 
been self-supj^orting. 

The iron mines of Michigan are located in three 
separate districts: (1) The Marquette; (2) the Me- 
nominee; (3) the Agogebic. 

The mines in the Marquette district were first 
developed, and some of them have been and are very 
productive and valuable. Among the leading mines 
are the Republic, the Cleveland, the Lake Superior, f 
and the Jackson. The ore is carried by rail to Mar- 
quette or Escanaba — at both of which places may be 
seen a considerable fleet of ore vessels almost any 
time during the season of navigation — and thence 

* Note,— The first iron smelted in this region was on Feb. 10, 1848, in a 
little forge erected by the Jackson Mining Company near the Carp River, 
ten miles from the present city of Marquette. 

+ NoTE.— " The yield of the Lake Superior Mine in 1882 was the largest 
ever produced in a single year by any iron mine on this continent." 



90 A PRIMER OF 

by water to the great furnaces of the lower lake 
ports. 

Active and extensive mining operations were not 
begun in the Menominee district until about 1877. 
Since that time, however, the development has been 
remarkably rapid. "It has advanced from an 
almost unbroken wilderness to a region of extra- 
ordinary activity and prosperity, containing many 
thriving villages and numerous rich and productive 
mines." * 

The Agogebic district was almost wholly undevel- 
oped until 1885, when railroad advantages were 
secured. But the operations have been so vigorous 
and the returns so encouraging that the Agogebic 
country is rapidly assuming the importance of a 
prosperous mining region. '' The deposits are, to 
all appearances, very extensive, and the history of 
the Menominee range is likely to be repeated in 
that of the Agogebic, the ores of the two being 
very similar in appearance as well as quality.'^ f 

In quantity of iron produced, Michigan ranks as 
the second State in the Union. In quality the iron 
manufactured from the best Lake Superior ores has 
no equal. About sixty mines are working and the 
average output for the past four or five years has 
exceeded two million tons per annum. The value 

* " Annual Report of the Commissioner of Mineral Statistics" for 1882, 
by Chas. E. V^^rigbt. 

t " Annual Report of the Commissioner of Mineral Statistics " for 1884, 
by A. P. Swineford. 



MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 91 

of this product has been roughly estimated at ten 
millions of dollars a year. 

GOLD AND SILVER. 

Gold has been found in Marquette and other 
counties of the Upper Peninsula, and miriing, on a 
small scale, has been carried on near Ishpeming. 
The Ropes mine has been worked for several years 
and has yielded some rich gold-bearing quartz, but 
unfortunately the quantity, thus far, has not been 
sufficient to enrich the stockholders or to justify the 
hope that gold mining is certain to become one of 
the important industries of the State. However, the 
discoveries of a day may change the whole face of 
the matter, and some good judges have not yet lost 
faith in the future of Michigan gold mines. 

Silver is found in small quantities in most of the 
copper mines of Lake Superior. At some of the 
stamp-mills boys are employed to pick the little 
silver nuggets out of the copper, and the product 
thus obtained amounts to several thousand dollars a 
year. 

SLATE. 

Extensive and valuable deposits of slate are found 
near Huron Bay, Lake Superior. The quarries have 
been operated for only a few years and the work 
has not been pushed with much vigor, so that the 
product is yet small; but the excellent quality of 

Note.— Iron mining is, if possible, more dangerous than copper mining, 
as the iron mines are not so well '*tim.bered-up " as a rule. Accidents 
are numerous and often fatal. 



92 A PRIMER OF 

the slate, and the extent of the beds, warrant the 
belief that this will some day become an important 
industry. 

SALT. 

Owing to geological causes, a portion of the State 
is underlaid by porous rocks which contain brine of 
good quality in almost unlimited quantity. The 
manufacture of salt was not begun until about the 
year 1860, but the business increased so rapidly that 
Michigan has become the largest salt producing 
State in the Union. 

Three-fourths of the product is manufactured in 
the ^^salt-blocks" along the banks of the Saginaw 
Eiver. Smaller quantities are made at the shore 
towns from White Kock to Caseville, and, on the 
other side of Saginaw Bay, at Oscoda and Tawas 
City; also at St. Louis, Midland, and Manistee. 

In the vicinity of the Saginaws, the average depth 
of the wells is about 900 feet. Steam is often used 
to heat the pans — in the evaporation — and a saving 
of fuel is effected by having the ^^ blocks" connected 
with saw-mills. 

The salt product of Michigan in 1884 was more 
than three million barrels. The average value of 
the product is estimated at about two millions of 
dollars a year. 

Note. — " A single well has yielded 26,000 barrels of salt in a season of 
■eight months."— [" Michigan and its Resources."] 



MICHIGAI^ HISTORY. 93 

GYPSUM. 

Extensive beds of gypsum are found in Kent and 
Iosco counties. In the first mentioned locality the 
beds have an area of ten to twelve square miles. In 
Iosco county the deposit is found in the bluffs on 
the lake shore, near Alabaster. Manufacturing 
establishments are in operation, converting the rock 
into ^^land plaster" and ^'plaster of Paris/' and 
the yearly product has become an important source 
of wealtli. 

COAL. 

About one-fifth of the Lower Peninsula is under- 
laid by beds of bituminous coal. But although the 
deposits are large in area, the seams appear to lack 
sufficient thickness in most places to encourage min- 
ing on an extensive scale, and owing to the presence 
of a large percentage of sulphur and other objection- 
able ingredients the coal is unfit for the purposes of 
smelting and gas-making. Mining operations have 
been attempted at several plac3s, but thus far the 
Jackson mines have yielded the principal share of 
the Michigan coal product. 

STONE. 

Building stones are found in Calhoun, Eaton, 



Note— In 1884, Michigan produced 27,412 tons of land plaster and 156,320 
barrels of calcined plaster or " stucco." 

Note— The location of the coal fields of Michigan may be roughly in- 
dicated on a map as follows : Draw a line from Sebewamg through 
Holly, Jackson, Albion, Hastings, to Big Rapids; thence to the north- 
west corner of Clare county, and eastward to the northeast corner ot 
Gladwin county; and thence to the mouth of the Rifle River. 

The Michigan coal product for 1882 was 110,336 tons. 



•94 A PRIMER OF 

Hougliton, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Marquette, and 
Monroe counties. 

Grindstones of good quality are cut from the 
quarries of Huron county. 

Limestones are found in great abundance in sev- 
eral places, and quick-lime is manufactured in large 
quantities. 

VALUE OF MII^^ERAL PRODUCTS. 

The value of the mineral products of Michigan is 
probably not less than twenty-five million dollars a 
year. 

FISHERIES. 

The fresh-water fisheries of Michigan are more 
valuable than those of any other State in the Union. 
Several thousand men are engaged in this industry, 
and the yearly ^' catch" is worth about a million 
dollars. Whitefish, Mackinac trout, lake herring, 
sturgeon and pickerel are the fishes commonly taken. 
Of these, the whitefish is the most valuable, and 
contributes largely to the profits of Michigan fisher- 
men. 

CON^CLUSION". 
II 

As products and prices vary from year to year, 
the estimated values are presented merely for the 
purpose of indicating the magnitude of the material 
resources of the State> and not as exact figures. 

Note.— The fishes are caught in "gill-nets "or in "pound nets." As 
those caught in the latter are alive when the net is "• lifted," they are 
preferred to the " drowned," and sometimes partially decayed, fishes 
caught in the gill-nets. 



MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 95 

Gathering up the estimates placed on the crude 
products, we have the following summary: 

Products of the soil $88,000,000 

Products of the forest.. 60,000,000 

Mineral products - - 25,000,000 

Pish 1,000,000 

Total for an average year $174,000,000 

According to the census of 1880, there were nearly 
nine thousand manufacturing establishments in the 
State, and many of the crude materials are greatly 
increased in value before they are exported. These 
factories employ large numbers of men, and thus 
help to improve the local markets for labor and 
provisions.* 

With more than sixteen hundred miles of coast 
line on the great lakes, and upwards of five thousand 
miles of railroad, the commercial advantages of 
Michigan are excellent and freight rates are favorable. 

Unsurpassed in richness and variety of material 
resources by any other State in the Union, with 
growing manufactures and good markets, Michigan 
completes her first half century of State existence in 
a thrifty condition, and all things promise a pros- 
perous future. 

* Note —In 1880 the number of manufacturing establishments was 
8 873; number of employes, 77,591; capital invested in manufacturing, 
«92,930,959: wa^es paid during one year, $25,318,682; value of products, 
«150;692,025 per annum. 



96 



A PRIMER OF 




MICHIGAN HISTORY. 97 



QUERIES 



I. When and by whom was the first French explorine.- expedition sent 
to America? 

3. Who named New France and wrote the first description of its coast ? 

3. What was the principal object of the early expeditions? 

4. Wlio first attempted to plant an agricultural colony in Acadia? 

5. When and by whom was Quebec founded ? 

6. When and for what length of time was Quebec first under English 
control ? 

7. Who was the " Father of New France " ? 

8. Explain the purpose and give the date of the treaty of St. Germain. 

9. Who was the first white man who visited Michigan? When and 
where ? 

10. Who founded the fii'st mission and built the first church on Lake 
Superior ? 

II. Who founded the mission at the Sault de Ste. Marie? 

13. For what purpose was the French and Indian council of 1671 held 
at the Sault ? 

13. When and by whom was the mission established at St. Ighace ? 

14. What is the oldest permanent settlement in the State ? 

15. What influence was exerted on the Indians by the Jesuits? By 
the coureurs des bois f 

16. What part did the fur traders play in the early exploration of this 
region ? 

17. What was the name of. the first schooner on tl.e great lakes? By 
whom built ? When was the first voyage made, and what became of the 
vessel ? 

18. What Indian village covered a portion of the present site of Detroit ? 

19. Where was Fort St. Joseph? When and by whom built? 

30, Where, when, and how did La Salle lose his life ? 

31. When and by whom was Detroit founded? 

33. What caused the French War ? When did it begin and end ? What 
battle decided the contest, and what was the final result of the struggle 
on the history of North America ? 

33. How long was Canada under French control ? 

34. What was the principal occupation of the people during the French 
Period ? 

35. By whom and to whom was Detroit surrendered after the fall of 
Quebec ? 

36. When did the English take possession of the Other posts in Michigan? 

37. What was the chief design of Pontiac's Conspiracy? Was it 
achieved ? 

28. How many posts were attacked ? How many captured ? 
39. Who saved Detroit ? 

30. Where did the savages act the part of cannibals ? 

31. Why did the Indians abandon the siege of Detroit, and when ? 

33. What was the Quebec Act, and what does the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence say about it? 

33. How did the British officers at Detroit and Mackinac make them- 
selves odious to the people of America during the Revolutionary War ? 

34. What was the treaty of Paris, and when made ? 



98 A PKIMER OF 

35. When did Michigan become an American possession? Who first 
unfurled the stars and stripes at Detroit ? 

36. What was " the ordinance of 1787 " ? 

37. State some of its chief provisions. 

38. How many and what States have been formed from the North- 
west Territory ? 

39. Which French explorer died and was buried near the present city 
of Ludington ? Whei'e are the remains now buried ? 

40. What Indian tribes lived in Michigan under French rule ? 

41. What Englishman superintended the first modern attempt at cop- 
per mining on Lake Superior"? 

43. Who were the courenrs des hois ? 

43. Who was the first Governor of the Northwest Territory ? 

44. When and how long was Michigan connected Avith Indiana Terri- 
tory ? 

45. Describe the origin of the primary school fund. 

46. When was Michigan Territory organized ? What were its bound- 
aries ? 

47. Who was the first Governor ? 

48. What .judge was said to be "fit only to extract sunbeams from 
cucumbers " ? 

49. What was the immediate cause of the war of 1812? 

50. When, where, and by whom was the battle of Tippecanoe fought ? 
With what result ? 

51. When was the fort first established on Mackinac Island? 

52. When and how was this post captured by the English ? 

53. Where was Maiden ? 

54. When and where was a white tablecloth used as a sign of surrender? 

55. Who said " We have met the enemy and they are on^s " f 

56. How was Michigan recaptured from the British ? 

57. Who was the second Governor of Michigan Territory and when 
was he appointed ? 

58. When was the survey of the public lands begun in Michigan? 

59. Who brought the first printing press into the State ? 

60. When was the first permanent newspaper begun and what was it> 
called ? 

61. What was the name of the first steamboat on the great lakes? 
When was the first voyage made ? When was the steamer wrecked ? 

62. What was the early name given to Monroe City ? What massacre 
took place there and what oflicer was responsible for the outrage ? 

63. What causes retarded the settlement of Michigan in the early days? 

64. What was the cause of " the Toledo war " ? The result ? 

65. When and where was the " frost bitten " convention held, and 
what action was taken ? 

66. What was the incident in connection with General Cass and the^ 
British fi.ag at the Sault ? 

67. When was Michigan admitted into the Union ? 

68. Who was " the boy Governor " of Michigan? 

69. What public improvements were undertaken by the young State? 

70. What plague visited Detroit in 1832 and 1834 ? 

71. What territorial executive lost his life with the disease? 

72. Who was " the founder of the Michigan school system " ? 

73. Who were the first Michigan Representatives in Congress? 

74. Who were the first U. S. Senators from this State? 

75. Give a list of the educational institutions controlled and supported. 
by the State. 

76. What wa s the " Catholepistemiad " ? 

77. Name the two oldest railroads in the State. 

78. What were the " wild cat" banks? 

79. What were the "• nail-keg reserves " ? 



MICHIGAJf HISTORY. 99 

80. What portion of tlie land was set apart for the support of primarv 
schools, and when ? ^ j 

81. What Michigan institutions were the first of the kind in the Union''* 
8:i. From what portion of the United States did most of the pioneers of 

Michigan come ? 

83. When and where did the Mormons start a Michigan colony ? 

84. ^\ here did the Quakers settle ? 

85. What were the leading characteristics of the pioneer settlers? 

8b. \^ here was the capital of the State during the early davs ? When 
was It removed to Lansing ? 

87. When was the second Constitution of the State framed ? 

88. State the essential differences between the first and second Con- 
stitutions of Michigan. 

89. What legal difficulty prevents a poor man from serving as Gov- 
ernor of the State ? 

90. Who was the *' war Governor of Michigan " ? 

91. Who was tlie " war Senator of Michigan " ? 

no- Hr*^"' many boys in blue did the State furnish during the Civil War? 

do. \\ hen and how was Lake Superior opened to navigation ? 

94. "\Mien was the new lock finished ? 

^^^V-^V°.^ many Senators and Representatives constitute the Legislature 
of Michigan ? 

96. For what length of time are the State officers elected ? 

9i. When and how often do the regular sessions of the Legislature 
occur ? 

98. How many congressional districts has Michigan under the appor- 
tionment based on the census of 1880? 

?^\ ^^^l\®^^ ^^^^ *^^*^ death penalty abolished in this State ? 

nm • l^rl^^^ ^^^^'^ ^^^^^ ^®^^^ made in regard to the liquor traffic ? 

inV V,-."^* ^^^^ ^^^ population when the State was admitted ? 

10:2. vv hat is the population now ? 

103. How many schools in the State ? 

}n^- T^rJ^^^'® ^^ ^^^® center of population in the State ? 

lOo. What IS the average population to the square mile in the State ? 
In your county ? 

106. How many miles of railroad ? 

107. Which is the longest railroad in the State ? 

108. What IS the length of Michigan's coast line? Is it exceeded by 
any other State m the Union ? 

}?n- U^y^ many inland lakes in the State ? How many counties ? 

110. Between what meridians and parallels is Michigan situated ? 

111. How many islands belong to the Slate ? 
11:2. What island counties ? 

113. }Ytu^(^^ ^^ ^^^ largest island in the State ? 

lU. What States east of the Mississippi River are larger than Mich- 
igan ? 
}}^' ^yi^ich is farther north, Isle Royal or the city of Paris ? 
}\^- ?i^J^®,'^"® °^°^^ important rivers of Michigan. 
}}L' wv*^.'^<'f>V-^^ original plan of Detroit, and after what models ? 
iln )Vt, ^ Michigan ball game ended in a massacre ? 
119. What five rivers rise on Hillsdale Summit ? 
1 ,V' }Yt^ -^ ^^® ^®^^^ annual rain-fall of the State ? 
1x1. What IS the mean annual temperature ? 
iS?" tXI^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ important field crop in Michigan ? 
lof -)^l^^? ^^^^ fruit raising begun on a large scale in this State ? 
L24.^What portion of the State is best adapted to fruit growing, and 

125. Name the chief " logging " streams. 

.126. What place makes the largest quantity of lumber of any single 
City m Lii6 world r 
127. Name the most valuable copper mine on the globe. 



100 A PRIMER OP 

138. What proportion of the labor of the State is employed in agri- 
culture ? 

129. How naany men are employed in the lumber manufacture ? 

130. Locate the agricultural, lumbering, and mining districts of Mich- 
igan. 

131. What is the average yearly lumber " cut " of the State ? 

133. How does Michigan rank as a fruit producer? Lumber? Salt? 
Fish? Iron? Copper? 

133. Who was the first State Geologist of Michigan ? 

134. What discovery followed the command, " Looh around hoys and 
see what you can find,'''' and who said it ? 

135. When was iron mining begun in Michigan, and where? 

136. Name the earliest productive copper mines. 

137. What is the difference between native copper and copper ore ? 

138. How many copper mines are in operation in Michigan? 

139. How many iron mines ? 

140. Locate the iron districts of Michigan. 

141. Where is gold mined in Michigan? 
143. Locate the gypsum beds. 

143. For what purposes is gypsum used ? 

144. Where are the slate quarries ? 

145. How does Michigan rank in the sale of fresh-water fish? 

146. What Michigan men have filled places in the Presidents' Cabinets ? 

147. Where are grindstones quarried ? 

148. What effect had the opening of the Erie canal on Michigan 
history ? 

149. When and where did a Yankee soldier and a British cannon ball 
cut down a pear tree ? 

150. Who was Henry Rowe Schoolcraft ? Where did he live and what 
did he write ? 

151. What elective State officer receives $3,000 salary? How does it 
happen ? ( See note on page 103.) 



MICHIGAN HIvSTORT. 



101 



INDEX. 



PAGES. 

Admission of State.- 52 

Allouez, Pere Claude 8,9 

American Possession ..- 29 

Arch Rock (Illustration) 44 

Bloody Run 24 

Boundary of Michigan 51 

" Boy Governor " of Michigan. 53 

British Landing 38 

British Possession 17 

Brock, General 40 

Cadillac, La Motte 15 

Cartier, Jacques 2, 3 

Cass, Gen. Lewis.... 39, 43, 45, 49, 70 

Catholepistemiad 60 

Champlain, Samuel 3-6 

Chandler, Zachariah. 70 

Chicago. 55 

Climate 78 

Coal.... 93 

Coast Line. 74 

Commercial Facilities 95 

Copper Mines. 85 

Council at the Sault... 9 

Council at Ecorces... 20 

Counties in Michigan 74 

Courcurs cles Bois 11 

Crary, Isaac E... 52, 58 

Crogiian, Lieut 45 

Dablon, Pere 9 

Dalzell, Captain 24 

Death Penalty 72 

De Monts 3 

Detroit.... 13, 15, 18, 20, 28, 34, 40, 43 
Druilletes, Pere 10 

Education 57, 58, 60, 61, 62 

Erie Canal.. 49 

Etherington, Major 26 

Farm Products 79 

Financial Panic. 56 

Fisheries 94 

Forest Products 81 

Frontenac, Count 12 

Frontenac, Fort 12 

" Frost-bitten Convention "... 52 



PAGES. 

Fruits 80 

Fur Traders 10 

Geographical location of Mich- 
igan 74 

Gladwyn, Major 21 

Gold. 91 

Governors of the State 67 

Griffin, The....' 13 

Gypsum 93 

Hanks, Lieut 38 

Harrison, Gen. Wm. H....36, 37, 41 

Hennepin 13 

Hog Island 24 

Holmes, Major... 45 

Houghton, Dr. Douglas 85 

Hull, Gen. Wm 34, 39, 40 

Indiana Territory... 33 

Internal Improvements. 54 

Iron Mines ....88-91 

Islands Belonging to State 74 

Jougues, Pere.. 7 

Lakes, Inland 76 

La Point ' 8 

La Salle.. 12 

Leaning Rock (Illustration) ... 96 

Legislature 72 

Liquor Laws 72 

Lucas County, O.. 51 

Lyon, Lucius 52 

Mackinac, Fort 37,45 

Maiden, Fort.... 39 

Manufacturing Interests 95- 

Marquette, Pere .8-l(h 

Mason, Governor 50-53,58. 

Map of Mackinac Island 30 . 

Map of Michigan 75 

Menard, Pere 8 

Michilimackinac 7, 26, 28. 

Michigan Centred R. R 54, 55 

Michigan in the War 69 

Michigan Members of Presi- 
dents' Cabinets. 69 

Michigan Southern R. R 54, 55.. 



102 



A PRIMER OF 



PAGES. 

MicMgan Territory 34 

Mineral Products 84 

Mormons in Michigan 64 

Morris Canal and Banking Co. 53 

Mundy, Edward 53 

Nlcolet, Jean 7 

Northwest Territory 31,32 

Norvell, John 53 

" One Hundred Associates "-.. 5 
Ordinance of 1787 .31, 33, 57 

Past and Present Compared... 73 

Pennsylvania U. S. Bank 54 

Perry's Victory 43 

Pictured Rocks. 77 

Pierce, Hon. John D. 58-60 

Pioneers....- 63, 63 

Point Pelee Massacre 23 

Political Matters 67 

Pontchartrain, Fort. 15 

Pontiac, Chief 17, 19,28 

Pontiac's Conspiracy 18 

Porter, Captain 29 

Porter, Governor ,50 

Primary School Fund 33, 58 

Printing Press 47 

Proctor, Colonel-. 41 

Public Lands. 33, 47 

Quebec ^ 3,5,16 

Quebec Act 38 

Queries 97 

Railroads 54, 55, 73, 95 

Rain-fall 79 

Raymbault, Pere.. 7 

Reference Lists of Prominent 

Officers 67 

Reference Lists of State Insti- 
tutions 72 

Richard, Rev. Grabriel 47 

River Raisin, Massacre of 43 

Rivers 76 

Roads, Public 48 

Rogers, Major Robert 17 

St. Clair, Oen. Arthur 33 

St. Clair, Lake 13 

St. Ignace Mission... 10 



PAGES. 

St. Joseph, Fort .14,36 

St. Mary's Ship-canal and 

Locks 71,89 

Salaries of State Officers 66 

Salt 93 

Sault de Ste. Marie 8 

Schoolcraft, Henry R 49 

School Section 33 

Silver 91 

Slavery Prohibited 32 

Slate Quarries 91 

Soil 78 

Specie Payment, Suspension of .56 
State, Admission into L^nion.. 53 

State Bonds 54 

State Capital, Removal of 65 

State Capitol 71 

State Constitution 51-53, 65 

State Conventions .51, 53 

State Officers.. 53,53 

State Schools 61 

Steamboat, The first 48 

Stone Quarries 93 

Strang, James J 64 

Summary of Values 95 

Superintendents of Public In- 
struction 68 

Surface 74 

Tecumseh, Chief .35, 43 

Temperature of Michigan 79 

Thames, Battle of 43 

Tippecanoe, Battle of 37 

Toledo War 50 

Treaty of Paris 38 

Treaty of St. Germain 6 

University Fund 33 

U. S. Senators from Michigan 69 

Verrazzano, John 1,3 

War, The French 15 

War, Revolutionary 38 

War of 1812 36 

War of Rebellion- 69-71 

Wayne County 33 

" Wild-cat " Banking 55-57 

Winters 79 

Woodward, Judge 34, 35, 41 



illCHIGAJs^ HISTORY. 10? 



On page 16, m the tliiixl line from the foot of the page, read 
one hundred" instead of "two hundred." 



The Auditor General's salary was fixed by an act of the Leg- 
islature, approved April 24, 1883, at $2,000 per year. In 
amending Article IX of the State Constitution so as to give 
Circuit Judges $2,500 salary, the office of Auditor General was 
accidentally omitted from the list of State offices, hence it 
w^as left to the Legislature to fix the salary. ^ 



THK 





D 




A Twenty-Four Page Semi-Monthly School Journal 
FOR Teachers and Pupils. 

TKR.MS, Sl.SO F'E^R YKAR. 

(30 Numbers Constitute a Year.) 



Tlie Official Organ of tlie State Department of Public 

Instruction, of tlie State Teacliers' Association, 

of tlie City Superintendents' Association, of 

tlie State Reading Circle, and of tlie 

Micliigan Sclioolmasters' Club. 



It contains Abstracts of School, Law Decisions, State Cer 
TiFiCATE Examination Questions, Full Reports of all Teachers' 
Meetings, Many Reports of Actual Class Work in the Schools, 
School News, and Miscellaneous Reading. 

« 

SEND ROR A SANIPLE COF^Y. 



Outline Maps, Charts, Globes, Erasers, Dissected Maps, Books 
for Teachers, etc. , furnished at Low Prices. 



Agents wanted in every township to canvass for The Moderator 
and Primer of Michigan History. Good commissions given. 
Address 

H. R. PAXTENaiLL, 

LANSING, MICH. 



